Dorothy "Dottie" Peterson Banker

Over her 89 years, Dottie lived a life anchored in her Christian faith. Those who knew her remember a woman of strong convictions and tender warmth, a tireless supporter and vigilant protector of those she loved.

Dottie was born to Robert Elmer and Dorothy Burnett Peterson in Denver, Colo., on Nov. 1, 1935. The family moved to Memphis soon after. She was the oldest of three girls, and graduated from Central High in 1953.

It was in her 11th grade chemistry class that she met Robert “Bobby” Banker, the kind and mischievous young man who would become her husband of 66 years.

Bobby secretly followed her when she and her high school friends drove from Memphis to Panama City to stay with a friend's aunt at the beach. When they awoke the first morning, she saw his old Nash outside. He wanted to make sure she arrived safely – and Dottie decided he was a keeper.

They married in 1954 while students at the University of Tennessee. Their first child, David, was born two years later, and he initially slept in a drawer, lovingly made into a crib, in the bedroom of the cash-strapped couple’s tiny apartment.

Bob joined the U.S. Air Force as a lieutenant and pilot, and the couple and baby David moved nine times during three years in the military. They faced challenges — one moving truck caught fire, another was misdirected to an Indian reservation, flooding vexed their house in Sumter, SC — and also found some of their most beautiful moments during this time. Dottie treasured the family’s two months on Mexico Beach in Florida’s Panhandle, in a duplex shared with friends from the Air Force. She reminisced about fishing from the beach, caring for each other's young sons and playing cards by flashlight when the power went out.

The couple then settled in Nashville, where Bob attended Vanderbilt Law School and Dottie served as President of the Law Wives.

They moved to Tampa in 1961, where Bob joined the Fowler White law firm, which he would ultimately lead as managing partner. One of Dottie’s first orders of business was to find their church, and after careful review, she settled on Palma Ceia Presbyterian.

Dottie served her Lord as a longtime member of PCPC. She was active as an Elder, Founder and Chairman of the Baptism Guild, President of the Presbyterian Women, Bible Moderator, Circle Chairman and Sunday School teacher.

Her family grew in Tampa, with Dana and then Blair. She worked hard to ensure the best for her three children. Her standards were high, and her support and love immeasurable.

Six beautiful granddaughters followed. She delighted in reading to them and taking them to the park to feed the ducks when they were little, and celebrating their precious hearts and accomplishments as they grew.

She traveled the world with Bob, but was always happiest at home. There were however two places she always loved to visit: Georgia, where she celebrated so many special times with beloved daughter Blair and her family, and Longboat Key.

She loved playing games, boating and making grilled cheese sandwiches for her children and grandchildren during summers at Longboat Key. Her Mississippi Mud Pie and baked beans were legendary, as were her safety rules: sunscreen for all, and everyone inside during the high noon hours.

She was a kind and fierce protector of those she loved. She whisked 3-year-old Dana to safety moments before a tornado blew out the windows of their home, stayed by her dear sister Jean’s bedside when she fell into a coma, singing to her until she awoke, and cared tenderly for Bob as his health declined.

She always had a sporty streak. Growing up, she zipped around Bear Creek Lake in Arkansas, where her parents had a cabin, in a flatbottom boat made by her father, an engineer who worked on the Hoover Dam. She treasured her role as “his little tomboy,” helping him restore antique cars and build an upstairs bedroom. She grew into a relentlessly consistent tennis player, rarely failing to get a shot over the net. On the golf course, she shot a hole in one on the 7th hole at Pebble Beach, and no one was more surprised than she and Bob.

Dottie loved gardening and made her Hampton Place yard an oasis. She created beautiful stained glass pieces that brightened the windows of her home. She was a consummate hostess, whether the affair was a holiday dinner or a wedding brunch. When her mother, a genealogist, tracked down distant relatives in Sweden, Dottie hosted three generations of them for a week.

She treasured her dear friends from so many circles: the church, the tennis courts and the remarkable friends she made on close-knit Hampton Place. She and Bob delighted in outings with their couples group, the SoHos, who they joined for dinners, golf outings and motorhome trips to Gator games in Gainesville.

“Oh what fun we had,” she recently wrote.

Dottie dedicated her life to her family, her home and her church, with a desire to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in whatever way she could. She wished to have her life remembered as a celebration of God’s love.

She is preceded in death by her devoted husband Robert Banker, and her dear sister Charlotte Carrell and husband Finis of Charlottesville, VA.

She is survived by her beloved children, son David Christopher Banker and wife Jan of Tampa; daughter Dana Burnett Banker of Fort Lauderdale; daughter Blair Banker von Kleydorff and husband Andrew of Smyrna, GA; precious granddaughters Whitney Jackson and husband Matt of Tampa, Mackenzie Banker of Barcelona, Kelsey Wiese and husband Tobias of Berlin, Courtney Lesmes and husband Andrew of Austin, TX; Meredith and Heidi von Kleydorff of Smyrna; great-grandson George Banker Wiese; cherished sister Jean Lesesne and husband Hank of Chapel Hill, NC; four nieces and one nephew; and many treasured friends.

Services are set for Nov. 29 at 11 a.m. at Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Dr. John T. DeBevoise officiating and reception to follow.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Blount & Curry Life Event Center - MacDill. Burial will be at Myrtle Hill Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church at 3501 W. San Jose St., Tampa, 33629, or the Judeo Christian Health Clinic at 4118 N MacDill Ave, Tampa, 33607.