Ms. Bessie Lee Banks' Obituary
Bessie Lee Banks went home to God on February 6, 2014, at the age of 90 years old. She was born on February 25th, 1923, to Howard and Lillian Metcalfe, in Sulligent, AL. She was the 5th born and last surviving sibling of her 7 brothers and sisters.
Bessie married Bennie Will Banks on February 2, 1946, in Jasper, AL. After traveling to many parts of the world and across the United States, Bennie, being a career military man, and Bessie decided to make their permanent home Tacoma, WA, in 1957, to raise their 3 surviving children: Lawrence Banks (Brenda), Diane Banks and Brenda Joyce Pope (Robert). She also leaves behind three grandchildren:
Lori Horton (Nathan), Thomas Banks and Britny Pope; and one great-granddaughter Breanna Horton.
Bessie leaves behind a legacy of the love of God first, and love, acceptance and forgiveness of family. She lived the legacy that she leaves and all that knew her know that she practiced it until her last day. A founding member of New Hope Baptist Church she did whatever she could to make services and worship God. She always put on her Sunday best, hat to shoes, and found a way to get there, not being able to drive herself. She was a true foundation of the family both here and in other parts of the country and many in the community called her “Mom” as a sign of love and respect.
She loved having and working a vegetable garden and cooking meals using the produce from her garden. You could always count on having a delicious meal when you visited Bessie. Bessie’s way of showing love was to feed your “stomach.” She always had something in the house to eat and always offered it to you almost immediately upon entering her home. Additionally she enjoyed fishing and every time one would
mention, “let’s go fishing,” she was always willing and always excited.
Bessie had many dear friends and relatives that were special to her so it would be impossible to mention them all, but we would like to recognize a few without offending others: Her niece, Mildred Cross; her dearest and longest friend Earlean Jones; her next door neighbor Ms. Gaines, and the Martin family.
Bessie leaves her children, grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews to mourn.
What’s your fondest memory of Bessie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Bessie?
Share a story where Bessie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bessie you’ll never forget.
How did Bessie make you smile?