Annie B. Banks

Annie B. Banks of Saginaw, Michigan

Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother passed away peacefully at her home with her family by her side on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
This journey began in the year of our Lord 1927; Thomas and Annie Gentry were blessed with a beautiful baby girl she was named Annie B. There wasn't much time for Annie to play... because by the age of six she was already in the fields picking cotton, and by the age of 10 was very good at it.

The next ten years would bring changes to Annie B. In addition to her daily chores she attended Watson School where her mother was the principal, teacher, guidance counselor, janitor...everything. All this while still being responsible to babysit when necessary for younger siblings. At about the age of sixteen, she noticed this young man that would pass their house on Duckworth lane on a sway back white horse, she pointed him out to her sisters and they all giggled! Each day that same young man would pass by their house about the same time to get to the main road...and those girls would be looking out the window giggling. The young man was J.S. Banks.

JS befriended Annie B's brother called "Hair" and started asking him questions about her. Hair, being a protective younger brother wanted to know why he was asking all these questions... JS told him because she is the prettiest girl he had seen. Finally he saw Annie B at church, once introduced, JS asked her why y'all always peeking out the window when I pass by. We're just laughing at that sway back horse you have. One day JS didn't just pass by, but stopped at that house on Duckworth lane and asked for a drink of water…Annie B brought him a tall glass of Kool-Aid. After that JS would stop at the house on Duckworth lane everyday to talk with Annie B. The relationship was in full bloom once they decided to venture out under the pecan tree to pick pecans and possibly steal kisses. They were married on the porch of that same house on Duckworth Lane in 1944.

After they were married they moved to Little Rock to start their lives together. They were only there a short while before JS was called to serve in the Army and Annie B found out their first child Mary was on her way to the world. So she moved back to Watson, Arkansas where

Annie B blossomed into the most dedicated, loving, and patient mom ever.
JS was honorably discharged from the service in 1947, this time they moved to Saginaw, Michigan. JS got a job at Grey Iron Foundry and soon they purchased their first home. 1948 their second child Doris (Ameenah) was born...10 months later in 1949 Barbara; 1950 came their first son Julius Banks Jr, 1951 another son Bruce three years later the birth of girls returned with Ellen in 1954. They then took a long break from kids. They must have loved the joy of raising kids because in 1965 they had Gina, in 1967 Nona, and a short 10 months later came Recee in 1968.

All that time JS continued to work for General Motors and Annie B worked various jobs for a number of years before starting her own business. As a professional cosmetologist, she would be up at six o’clock in the morning and not stopping until late at night.

Baptized at the age of 19, Annie has kept her faith as a Christian - a member of Bethel AME Church for over 70 years. She was blessed with a strong mind. We praise the Lord for her and thank her for being the strong woman and role model that she has been for 93 years. Annie believed in one God, all His prophets, and messengers. She was an avid reader and would stay up late many nights reading books on various religious beliefs.

Surviving are seven children: Mary McClure of Wyoming, MI; Ameenah Ahmad of Powder Springs, GA; Barbara (Freddie) Jackson of Saginaw; Julush (Patricia) Banks of Kalamazoo; Regina Banks of Bowie, MD; Nona Banks of Houston, TX; Dericee (Marvin) Hamilton of Grand Rapids. Also surviving are 25 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; great-great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; extended family members; two brothers and two sisters: Travestine Butler, Clinton (Verda) Gentry, Clintontine (Robert) Fitz; Thomas (Cynthian) Gentry; daughter-in-law, Delores Jackson; three sisters-in-law: Vivian Gentry, Mary Taggart, and Sarahree Banks.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Julush Banks; a son, Bruce Banks; daughter, Ellen Banks; siblings: James Gentry, John Gentry, Tommie Hamilton, Emma Grays, and Louise Grays.

A funeral prayer will be held at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2020, at the Islamic Center of Saginaw, 4330 N. Center Road. Imam Safwan Eid will officiate. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Feed the Children.