Mary Virginia Banks

Dit was born on August 28, 1928, in Hutchins, Texas to William Samuel Bussey and Lillian Moore Bussey. Dit grew up in Austin and graduated from Austin High School in 1945. She was a member of the school’s Red Jackets and the National Honor Society. She attended The University of Texas at Austin for two and a half years.

Dit embraced Austin High School’s motto, “Loyal Forever.” She maintained lifelong relationships she had started during high school and with many friends she made as an adult.

She married her high school sweetheart James H. (Jimmy) Banks in 1947. They initially lived in Dallas, but in 1951 moved to Austin where Dit was a wife, mother, and homemaker. She also handled bookkeeping and other office duties for the Texas Publishing Company, which she and Jimmy owned.

Their two daughters always wanted Dit to serve as their home room mother, Girl Scout leader, and field trip chaperone because she was a joy to be with. Their friends always enjoyed visiting the Banks’ home because Dit was the “fun Mom.”

Dit was a loyal (53-year) member of P.E.O. Chapter R, a women’s philanthropic and educational organization, which she served as president three times; Austin Woman’s Forum, which she also served as president; and Tarrytown United Methodist Church through most of her adult life.

Dit was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and brother, William Samuel Bussey, Jr., of San Diego, CA.

Dit is survived by her daughters Ginger Banks of Austin, TX, and Janet Ledbetter of Hurst, TX; grandchildren, Amy Elizabeth Tate of Fort Worth, TX, and Stephen James Tate of Hurst, TX; six great-grandchildren, Victoria (Tori) Eiland of Dallas, TX, Jonathan Houston Eiland of North Richland Hills, TX, Emerie Elizabeth Eiland of Fort Worth, TX, and Emily Marie Tate, Nicholas Michael Tate, and Liam Kenneth Tate, all of Denton, TX.

Please consider memorial contributions to Tarrytown United Methodist Church in Austin, TX, (https://tumcaustin.churchcenter.com/giving), P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (https://www.peointernational.org/ or call P.E.O. Executive Office, (515-255-3153), or a charity of choice.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 8, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, 2800 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78731. A memorial service will follow at 2:30 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752.