Obituary for Minnie Lenora Banks (Miles)
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Meeting ID: 847 3697 5861
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Minnie Lenora Miles Banks, 69, of Clinton, Maryland, passed away on January 5, 2024 after an over 19 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Minnie was born on October 27, 1954 to Sarah and Samuel Miles in Altavista, Virginia. Growing up an Army Brat, she enjoyed traveling throughout Virginia, Texas and Germany, but always returning home to Altavista. Minnie was always a vibrant and rambunctious spirit. She enjoyed basketball, cheerleading, music, interior design, and dancing. She won the honor of becoming the First Black Homecoming Queen at Altavista High School. After Minnie graduated from Altavista High in 1974, she went on to study Special Education at Norfolk State University. While at Norfolk, she and a few other ladies started a new chapter of the Iota Phi Lambda sorority.
Although she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education at Norfolk State in 1976, Minnie learned early during her internship that she really did not want to teach. Therefore, she began a 20 year career in Human Resources & Banking with NS&T Bank/Maryland Federal, which later became BB&T Bank. Her next challenge came when she switched careers and became a Project Facilitator at the Howard University Research and Training Center on Disability and Socioeconomic Policy Studies. It was during this time that she received her diagnosis of Parkinson’s and later retired.
While at Norfolk State met Elijah Banks and formed a relationship. Following graduation, the two were married. After moving to Maryland-Minnie and Elijah went on to have two daughters, Mia and Lauren. Minnie and Elijah were the notorious entertainers, providing a fun place for everyone to enjoy parties, barbeques and other occasions. After divorcing, Minnie met partner Marvin Anderson. They were married in 1993 and welcomed a precious baby boy named Tyler. Minnie loved her children and provided a safe and fun haven for them, their friends (affectionately known as her nieces and nephews) and others who needed a place to rest their heads.
In 2004, Minnie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and less than a year later lost her first- born child tragically. Although life brought her a hard blow, she persevered. She never gave up and did her best to get up and keep going. In addition, she found the strength to encourage and help others as much as she could.
Minnie was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Clinton Unit 259 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Clinton Auxiliary 9376.
Minnie was preceded in death by her mother Sarah Miles Christian, her father Samuel Miles and her phenomenal daughter Mia Denise Banks. She is survived by her daughter Lauren Bianca Banks Fraser (Dwayne), her son Tyler Delante Anderson, and sister Marilyn Denise Miles Thomas (Michael). She leaves behind seven grandchildren Aaliyah Anderson, Ahsan Anderson, Kylah Scott, Alayna Anderson, Amiah Anderson, Jayden Fraser, and Dwanique (Jada) Fraser; Niece, Michaela Thomas and a host of other relatives and friends.
We will remember her smile, her warmth, her energy, her love for life, family, and friends.
She made a difference in the lives of many.
For that, we are thankful
To join the service via Zoom, please click here at the time of service
OR
enter this ID and passcode into your zoom application:
Meeting ID: 847 3697 5861
Passcode: Banks
If you are experiencing trouble connecting to zoom, try refreshing your browser. If the trouble persists, contact our technology department at 301-347-8348 or email us at jkjenkins@jbjfh.com. Thank you.
Minnie Lenora Miles Banks, 69, of Clinton, Maryland, passed away on January 5, 2024 after an over 19 year battle with Parkinson’s Disease.
Minnie was born on October 27, 1954 to Sarah and Samuel Miles in Altavista, Virginia. Growing up an Army Brat, she enjoyed traveling throughout Virginia, Texas and Germany, but always returning home to Altavista. Minnie was always a vibrant and rambunctious spirit. She enjoyed basketball, cheerleading, music, interior design, and dancing. She won the honor of becoming the First Black Homecoming Queen at Altavista High School. After Minnie graduated from Altavista High in 1974, she went on to study Special Education at Norfolk State University. While at Norfolk, she and a few other ladies started a new chapter of the Iota Phi Lambda sorority.
Although she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education at Norfolk State in 1976, Minnie learned early during her internship that she really did not want to teach. Therefore, she began a 20 year career in Human Resources & Banking with NS&T Bank/Maryland Federal, which later became BB&T Bank. Her next challenge came when she switched careers and became a Project Facilitator at the Howard University Research and Training Center on Disability and Socioeconomic Policy Studies. It was during this time that she received her diagnosis of Parkinson’s and later retired.
While at Norfolk State met Elijah Banks and formed a relationship. Following graduation, the two were married. After moving to Maryland-Minnie and Elijah went on to have two daughters, Mia and Lauren. Minnie and Elijah were the notorious entertainers, providing a fun place for everyone to enjoy parties, barbeques and other occasions. After divorcing, Minnie met partner Marvin Anderson. They were married in 1993 and welcomed a precious baby boy named Tyler. Minnie loved her children and provided a safe and fun haven for them, their friends (affectionately known as her nieces and nephews) and others who needed a place to rest their heads.
In 2004, Minnie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and less than a year later lost her first- born child tragically. Although life brought her a hard blow, she persevered. She never gave up and did her best to get up and keep going. In addition, she found the strength to encourage and help others as much as she could.
Minnie was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Clinton Unit 259 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Clinton Auxiliary 9376.
Minnie was preceded in death by her mother Sarah Miles Christian, her father Samuel Miles and her phenomenal daughter Mia Denise Banks. She is survived by her daughter Lauren Bianca Banks Fraser (Dwayne), her son Tyler Delante Anderson, and sister Marilyn Denise Miles Thomas (Michael). She leaves behind seven grandchildren Aaliyah Anderson, Ahsan Anderson, Kylah Scott, Alayna Anderson, Amiah Anderson, Jayden Fraser, and Dwanique (Jada) Fraser; Niece, Michaela Thomas and a host of other relatives and friends.
We will remember her smile, her warmth, her energy, her love for life, family, and friends.
She made a difference in the lives of many.
For that, we are thankful