Derrell E. Banks

Derrell E. Banks, 85, of Springfield, GA, was welcomed into eternity on Tuesday, March 4th, with those long-awaited words, "well done my good and faithful servant."
Derrell was born on December 27, 1939 at the home of his grandparents Edward (Ned) & Ione Weathers in Evans Co, GA, which is now the Fort Steward Military Reservation. In 1941, the house was moved to its current location on US Hwy 280 in Daisy, GA.
Derrell grew up in Savannah, GA and graduated from Savannah High School in 1957. Upon his graduation, he served in the United States Army on active duty under the RFA Act of 1955. From 1958-59, Derrell attended Armstrong Jr. College and after completing his education, he married Jean Knight and moved to Columbus, GA in 1960. During their years in Columbus, they began their family and were blessed with the birth of their daughter Cynthia. Derrell was employed by the Commercial Credit Corp and Sunshine Biscuit Co. before returning to Savannah and finding his home at Savannah Electric & Power. He began his career as a Meter Reader Supervisor for the first 15 years before being transferred in1979 to Springfield, GA as the Customer Service Coordinator. Derrell retired in 2002 as the Senior Marketing Representative after 38 years of service.
In 1989, during their time in Springfield, Jean was called to her heavenly home. It was through Derrell's constant faith in His Lord, Jesus Christ that he persisted, and it was through his faith that he later met Alice W. McBride, who would become his wife. They met while attending Sunday School together.
Derrell's faith journey began at Calvary Baptist Temple where he was raised and would later return in 1964. During his time in Columbus, GA, he worshipped as a member of the Morningside Baptist Church. When he moved to Springfield, GA, he also moved his membership to First Baptist Church of Springfield before finding his church family at Springfield United Methodist Church. There, he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Ushers, Social Concerns Chairman and the President of the Christian Family Living Sunday School Class. His service was far reaching as he was on the Board that founded the Effingham County United Way Chapter, was a member of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce and the Exchange Club of Effingham, as well as the Effingham Builders Association, the Guyton Lodge #428 and was appointed to a term on the Springfield City Council. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Effingham Hospital Authority.
Derrell loved his God and Maker, his family and his church. He enjoyed camping and traveling with his wife and spending time hunting and working at his home place in Daisy. He enjoyed time with friends on the golf course, fishing, and serving others on many mission trips locally, nationally and internationally.
Derrell is preceded in death by his first wife of 29 years, Jean Banks; parents Thad Henry Banks & Jewell Weathers Banks; and sister, Kay Mitchell.
Derrell is survived by his wife, Alice W. Banks; daughter, Cindy (Charles) Wise; three step-children whom he loved as his own, Mikel (Kimberly) McBride, Melinda (Jacob) Brown, Marcus McBride; grand-children, Courtney (Jonathan) McComb, Emily (Dustin) Herb, Evan (Samantha) McBride, Nicholas McBride, Mackenzie McBride, Crista Brown and Addie Grace Brown; four great-grandchildren, Samuel, Leah, Isaac and Caleb McComb; Brother-in-law, Bob Mitchell; Niece, Susan Addison; numerous brothers and sisters-in-law also survive him in the Knight and the Weitman families along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Pallbearers: Dustin Herb, Marcus McBride, Mikel McBride, Jonathan McComb, Chuck Neidlinger, Shane Shaw, and Walter Weitman
Honorary Pallbearers: Donna Banister, Al Hinson, Don King, Donnie Rahn, Reggie Rahn, Steven Snooks, Sheldon and Becky Tebeau, Ginger Kieffer, and Jackie Simmons.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving a memorial contribution to Mission on the Move PO Box 13208 Savannah, Ga 31416
Visitation will be held 1 -3 pm Friday, March 7, 2025 at Bethel Lutheran Church.
Funeral services will be held at 3 pm Friday, March 7, 2025 at Bethel Lutheran Church.
Interment will be in Effingham Memorial Gardens.
Thomas C. Strickland & Sons Funeral Home, Effingham Chapel (912) 754-6421.