Name: Visitation for Lenore Elizabeth Evans "Nonie" Banks
Start: 2020-06-26T16:00:00.000Z
End: 2020-06-26T18:00:00.000Z
Location: Rabenhorst Funeral Home & Crematory - Downtown

Lenore Elizabeth Evans "Nonie" Banks died June 17, 2020 from complications following surgery. She was born in New Orleans to Niles Pelham Evans and Mary Ellen Llewellyn Evans on December 31, 1931. The family moved to Baton Rouge when she was 8 years old and she resided there for the rest of her life, except for 3 years in Chicago. She was a graduate of LSU where she earned a Bachelor Degree in Education and English, a Masters in Speech and Bachelor of Music. She fulfilled all the requirements for Doctorate in Speech except a dissertation. She taught speech at the University of Illinois at Chicago and Baton Rouge High School and English to foreign students at LSU (English Language and Orientation Program) She was an award winning actress and singer at the Baton Rouge Little Theatre (where her picture appears on the Wall of Fame) Nonie was member of the Screen Actors Guild and appeared in over 40 movie and television productions. Music was an important part of Nonie's life. She was a member of the Music Club, the Gilbert and Sullivan Society, and her church choirs and other musical groups. She performed for special occasions and she visited nursing homes and assisted living facilities to sing for the residents, sometimes singing some of the thousands for which she wrote the lyrics. Nonie was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by husband Roderick K, Banks, sister Virgina E. Carradine, brother Robert L. Evans (Janice) sons Roderick E. Banks and Frederick T. Banks, daughter-in-law Patrica J. Banks, four grandchildren Aleksandra B. Coursey (Mike), James T. Banks (Charity), Molly E. Banks, and Roderick J. Banks and six great grandchildren. Visitation will be held at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St. from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm, Friday, June 26, 2020 with religious services following at 1:30 pm at First United Methodist Church (face masks and social distancing required at the church). Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, In lieu of flowers please make donations to First United Methodist Church Sanctuary Renovation Fund or to your favorite charity.

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Published by The Advocate from Jun. 23 to Jun. 26, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Lenore Banks

10 Entries

Sabrina Johnson

August 12, 2025

I just saw where Mrs. Banks transitioned. I have memorized her line from God's Not Dead with her speaking to Dean Cain. I love that scene in the move. I use it quite often. Condolences to the family and thank God for her legacy. May she rest in Peace

Pat Kagan Tobias, LSU 1971

March 1, 2024

Dear Banks family, I have just now seen Lenore's obituary way late in March 2024. I would like to share happy memories of Lenore or Mrs. Banks as we know her in our first year of Music Theory in the LSU School of Music. Our professor was Dr. Paul Louis Abel who was good to call on Mrs. Banks as her hand was often raised to ask questions and her strong stage voice rang out. This was in Fall 1967 when all LSU campus freshman were required to take a class at 7:30 am six days a week. No doubt to weed us out so we had the privilege of learning from Dr. Abel at the earlies hour of the day when we were most sleepy !! Nevertheless, Mrs. Banks ( and Myself) stuck with learning music while others fell by the wayside. Dr. Abel often told us stories of his college days at the Eastman School of Music. to fill out the time. He was from Yazoo City, MS and had the accent of that region. I graduated from LSU in Violin in 1971 and never knew what had become of Mrs. Banks until . many years later when I saw her in The Apostle. So glad she had her career !! Condolences, Pat Kagan Tobias, Nashville, TN

James banks

October 29, 2023

All of you thank you so much! I will always love and miss you grandma!

Jann Peck

June 25, 2020

I am saddened beyond words to learn of Nonie's death. Nonie and the Teague Family were deeply connected by their love of theater and the arts. Nonie was unstoppable, an icon in the theatrical world. As a young girl in BRLT summer musicals, I was impressed with Nonie's strong voice...a strong actress, someone the cast looked up to. And she never stopped seeking roles in movies filmed in Louisiana nor singing in the FMC choir. Her presence will be missed yet her legacy will live on. I know my beloved parents welcomed her to Heaven.
My prayers for the family,
Jann Teague Peck

Jerry Leggio

June 24, 2020

Rod, Gloria and are so saddened. Times like these are never easy. I have known Nonie about 60 years now and as you know we have shared stage and film together over that time. She will be missed. I wish you and your children and grandkids well in this ttime of grief and Nonie ... Rest in peace.

Ken McLeod

June 24, 2020

To have shared a stage with Nonie was a joy! In addition to her talent and the hard work she willingly put into each role, she was also the consummate professional. During the run of MAME I got a laugh for the first time. She mentioned after the show that I got the laugh. I told her, Yes, I always thought it was a laugh line, but this time you came in with your line a little later than usual, so my laugh line had time to land. She simply said, I see. From then on, she came in slightly later and I got the laugh. Nonie knew that what is good for any individual is good for the show. So, she gave me my laugh. We had many discussions about theater. A vast knowledge and a big heart that she didnt always show. Many have wonderful Nonie tales to tell. RIP, Nonie. My condolences to Rod and the family.

Bill Toups

June 24, 2020

I have wonderful memories of Nonie! She was a very kind and talented lady! I was involved with two shows she was in at Baton Rouge Little Theater. I was an Assistant Stage Manager for Murder Among Friends, and had the honor and privilege to share the stage with her in The Music Man! She was hilarious in her role as Eulalie Mackechnie Shinn in The Music Man!

Mary Pittman

June 24, 2020

I will always remember her smile, her commanding voice, and her wonderful personality. She taught me so much about theater and performance. We will miss you!

Diane and Rick Malone

June 24, 2020

Our condolences to Rod and family. We so enjoyed working with and watching Nonie onstage in Baton Rouge. She will certainly be missed.

Geri Teasley

June 23, 2020

Always had such fun working with you Nonie, either at the Baton Rouge Little Theater or in a movie. You were the best, funny, sweet and always ready to help and give advice to a novice like me. I'll never forget you and your wonderful stories. My condolences to your family.

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