Virgie Banks

Virgie was born February 27, 1933 in Curve, Tennessee, to John Henry Donathan and Minnie Myrtle Wright Donathan McKinney. Her rearing was in and near Memphis, and she graduated from Whitehaven High School in 1951.

Out of high school, her best friend’s sister helped her acquire a job with Lowenstein’s Department Store. During the spring of 1952, with her brother, Henry, in Korea, Virgie commandeered his old car and provided transportation for several ladies and herself. Unable to afford paid parking, she used the free parking on the Memphis waterfront. One evening after work, the sometimes unreliable car did not start. However, in God’s providence and her distress, she met a sailor stationed on the Navy vessel docked just below her parking spot.

In her world, decent young ladies took no interest in the U.S. Navy’s sailors. This one, however, proved to be God’s blessing and gift in her life. Ron (Harold) and Virgie were married on July 22, 1953. To them were born two sons, Harold, Jr. (Ronnie) and David.

Life as a Navy wife took Virgie from Memphis to Florida, San Diego, Connecticut, Vallejo, Idaho, Vallejo, Charleston, and again to Vallejo, CA. Upon Ron’s retirement from the US Navy, the family moved east and eventually to Raleigh, NC, in 1971, which remained home until 2022 when Virgie relocated to Trent Woods (New Bern) to be near her son and daughter-in-law.

In Raleigh, Virgie served her Lord Jesus whom she loved through her Church as a second grade Sunday School teacher, a home-visitor, and a member of the evangelism team. She was active in the formation of a city-wide prayer chain; with Yokefellows in the Women’s Prison; Bible Study Fellowship; and hosting Bible study in her home. As part of her Christian convictions, she worked passionately for racial reconciliation and for the humanity of the unborn.

Her creative talents and her sense of beauty were displayed in her oil paintings, flower gardening, home design and decoration, and sewing. Her grandchildren remember her creative story telling by which she kept them enthralled for hours.

Virgie was preceded in death by her husband of almost 63 years, Harold Ronald Banks; her son, Harold Ronald Banks, Jr.; her brother and sister-in-law, Henry and Ruby Donathan and their son Stephen Donathan; her father, John Henry Donathan, and her mother, Minnie Myrtle Wright Donathan McKinney.

She is survived by her son, David Arnold Banks and his wife Jerri Moore Banks; five grandchildren, Anna McCormick (Justin), Erin Harbinson (Greg), Sarah McLeod (Darren), Joeli Franks (Randy), and Timothy Banks; three great-grandsons, Jaylin McLeod, Rowan and Benjamin Harbinson; her sister Christine Fincher; and her nephews and nieces.

The family is especially grateful to the caregivers of Home Instead, New Bern, to Gentiva Hospice, New Bern, and to the Garber, Solid Rock, Beech Grove, and Rhems Global Methodist Churches of New Bern.

A graveside service is Tuesday, September 17, 2:00 p.m. at Raleigh Memorial Park, 7209 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC, with visitation at 1:00 p.m. at the Mitchell Funeral Home. A memorial service is October 14, 1:00 p.m., at the Garber Methodist Church, 4201 Country Club Road, Trent Woods (New Bern), NC.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may bless others through either the Salvation Army of Raleigh or the Garber Methodist Church, Trent Woods (New Bern), NC.

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