Sunrise: June 7, 1944 Sunset: April 14, 2018

Transcription

1 Sunrise: June 7, 1944 Sunset: April 14, 2018 Service Monday, April 23, :00 p.m. GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH OF CHRIST 223 New Jersey Avenue Brooklyn, NY Rev. Shane Hilliard, Pastor

2 James Richard Banks was born in Fremont, North Carolina on June 7th, 1944 to the late Reverend Clinton and Bessie Mae Banks. He was the youngest of six children. James Richard attended the Wayne County Public School System. James Richard was known to do everything with finesse and efficiency. These traits were well known as he and his brothers were called Those Banks Boys. Because they were inseparable, they were the party. They brought the party. James Richard moved to New York City in the late 60 s living with family and quickly getting his own place while adjusting to life in the city that never sleeps. He got a job working at Grand Union Supermarket initially doing entry-level work moving all the way up to Assistant Store Manager. James Richard was a very dedicated worker and did not have an issue with being a team player as he took his work seriously and oftentimes he was given the role of leadership ensuring that the assignment was going to get done to the satisfaction of the employer. James Richard was well respected by employers, co-workers and customers alike because of his what you see is what you get uncanny character, charming humor, no-nonsense attitude and good work ethics. That was the essence of James Richard. James Richard had been employed with the supermarket chain for nearly two decades. James Richard was known to have a magnetic and unmistakable charismatic charm; this was noticed by one special woman and she stole his heart, the former Ms. Ernestine Yates. They married October 15th, 1970; James Richard affectionately became known simply as her Jimmy and she was his Tine. They moved to the East New York community before they settled in the Crown Heights area of Brooklyn where he became well-known for his cooking skills, namely Jimmy s Special Pepper Steak, savory and succulent BBQ ribs, and the sweetest lightest fluffiest cake that would put you in the corner begging for more. James Richard was the Mayor of Brooklyn Avenue. He knew everyone and everyone knew him. He took pride in his community and established long-term relationships, especially with the tenants in Brooklyn Avenue. He was a family man. If he liked you, you were given a nickname, if you were dating someone in the family

3 automatically you were given the last name Banks...even if the relationship was over you still carried the name Banks. If you were friends to his children you became his children. James Richard knew the Lord as well as he knew the Bible being raised in the church. As a child, his faith in God was a daily walk and journey that was personal. James Richard initially joined Grace Baptist Church of Christ with his family in the late 1970 s under the leadership of Pastor Jacob N. Underwood, Sr. He remained active until work obligations physically kept him away from the fellowship but not away from his relationship because God knew him and he knew God. In 2015, James Richard again confessed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was restored back into the fellowship as a full member of the body of Christ. Brother Banks moved from membership into discipleship under the teachings of his current Pastor, Shane Hilliard. The disciples of the church supported the immediate family by having monthly fellowship with Brother Banks while he was in the nursing home. On April 8th, 2018, Brother Banks in the presence of Deacon Alfred Osborne, Training Deaconess Denise Osborne, Training Deacon William Stone and the aid of his son, he was served his last communion. On the morning of April 14th, 2018, James Richard Banks heard the voice of Jesus say come unto me and rest. By his side were his daughter, Adrienne and son, De Andre. The legacy of this man with uncanny character and immovable faith will continue to be illuminated through his wife of 47 years, Ernestine Banks; his children, Lashaun Coley- Jones, (Delroy Anthony) of Glen Burnie, Maryland, De Andre T. Banks and Adrienne D. Banks; grandchildren, Latorian Jones, Jayla Denise Banks and Jayden Avery Banks; sister, Betty Jean Jones all of Brooklyn, New York; brother, David Dawson; and sister, Barbara-Ann Walker of Wilson, North Carolina. James Richard will also be missed by a host of family, friends, the disciples of Grace Baptist Church and many loved ones. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Leonard D. Banks, Clinton Mutt Banks, Edward Buddy Lee, Clifton Benjamin Clip Banks and his son, De Lando S. Banks (2 days old). Submitted by the Family

4 Processional... Clergy and Family Congregational Hymn... It Is Well Scripture (Old Testament)... Psalm 34:1-7 Scripture (New Testament)... John 14:1-16 Prayer Reflections (Two Minutes)... Family and Friend Selection... Grace Baptist Church Mass Choir Reflections/Word of Thanks... Children and Grandchildren Selection... Grace Baptist Church Mass Choir Acknowledgements (Reading of Cards/Obituary)... Rev. Jacqueline Robinson Eulogy... Rev. Shane Hilliard Pastor Grace Baptist Church of Christ Benediction Recessional Pinelawn Memorial Park Cemetery Farmingdale, New York

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7 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

8 God saw him getting tired, and a cure was not to be So He put His arms around him and whispered, "Come to Me". With tearful eyes we watched him suffer, and saw him slowly fade away. Although we loved him dearly, we could not make him stay. A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands put to rest, God broke our hearts to prove to us, He only takes the best. REMEMBER ME Don't remember me with sadness, Don't remember me with tears, Remember all the laughter, We've shared throughout the years. Now I am contented That my life it was worthwhile, Knowing that I passed along the way I made somebody smile. When you are walking down the street And you've got me on your mind, I'm walking in your footsteps Only half a step behind. So please don't be unhappy Just because I'm out of sight, Remember that I'm with you Each morning, noon and night. The family acknowledges with deep appreciation all acts of kindness extended to them during this bereavement hour. May God bless you for all your thoughtfulness and concern th Avenue Manhattan, NY (212) Pitkin Avenue Brooklyn, NY (718) Prospect Avenue Bronx, NY (718) Clifford V. James, President & CEO unityfc@aol.com w w w. h o n o r y o u. c o m