Decon Lee Banks' Obituary
Decon Lee Banks Obituary
Deacon Lee Banks was born on December 24, 1934, in Mississippi and his mother is Lillie Mae Esmond, who has gone on to glory. He then moved from Mississippi to Sandusky, IL. where he first saw his future wife Donnie Belinda Jimerson. She was in her yard sitting on a swing. As he was walking by, the spirit of the Lord came over him and he knew that one day she was going to be his wife.
As life went on, he met Donnie again in Chicago and they got married and later moved to Markham, IL. and joined Christ Temple Baptist Church. This was when Christ Temple was a little white church on the corner of 16200 South Wood Street and at that time under the leadership Reverend Princeton H. McKinney.
After that, the new church was built where Deacon Lee Banks remained a faithful servant and member of Christ Temple Baptist Church, which is now under the leadership (Pastor) Dr. Dale A Lawson, Sr. He has always worked in some capacity in the Sunday School. He was a Sunday School Teacher.
later he became a Deacon and after many years he became the Sunday School Superintendent where he worked for many years training. developing, overseeing and making sure they had the right teachers, Christian Books and Materials chat would help the growth of the Sunday School. One of his ministries was the Nursing Home Ministry where he and other members would go out every month and visit many nursing homes. They would also Minister, Sing and have Bible Studies with the Seniors. There were a few times he would even have his daughters Lenora Drana Banks and Cynthia Lynn Sanoguet sing at some of the nursing homes. Dad was also an excellent speaker working in the Sunday School and would always give words of wisdom, encouragement and inspiration. He has always helped the youth in many capacities. Back in the day, the children would go to Summer Bible School, Track and Field competitions, go on trips and even go to baseball camps at the Cubs and White Sox stadiums, etc.
Outside of the church, Deacon Lee Banks was a basketball and baseball coach for the Markham Park District. He was also a Scout Leader and a Mentor. He was an entrepreneur where he had his own business called Modern Style Dynette and Reupholstering. which was located at 15900 in Marshfield in Harvey, Illinois.
Deacon Lee Banks was a Master Designer of his trade. He created his own designs reupholstering. He even did the interior designs for several restaurants in the area. What is so great, his nephew, Otis Ly Jerry Smith and Reverend Myke Gerring worked at the shop with several other people. So that you know, when you would drive by Deacon Lee Banks shop, early in the morning, you would see him Praying and Reading a very large Bible. Deacon Lee Banks would also help young men to get off the streets by Mentoring, having Bible Class and Teaching them the game of Chess and Strategies at his shop. At one point he was even a member of the Christ Temple Male Choir. He had a beautiful tenor voice, and he loved to sing. You can say Deacon Lee Banks has always been a Role Model, a Teacher, a Mentor and just a Great Man.
Deacon Lee Banks has two sisters, and he is survived by one sister named Annie Mahomes and his other sister is Matilda Huff (who is no longer with· us). Deacon Lee Banks and wife Donnie Banks, who has already gone on to glory, are survived by four children, Lenora Drana Banks, Edward Lee Banks, Cynthia Lynn Sanoquet and Byron Tyrone Banks. Deacon Lee Banks has seven grandchildren, Phillip J. Upton II, Charles Parks Jr., Solana Sanogue, Lydia Sanoguet, Richie Sanoguet, LaNesha Banks, Candaus Banks and Latoya Chappelle and he has nine great-grandchildren.
Deacon Lee Banks will be missed dearly.
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