Marie Johnson Banks

Marie Johnson Banks was born on March 13, 1941, in Heth, Arkansas to the late Mr. Johnny Johnson and Mrs. Julie Mae Johnson. Marie was the oldest daughter of 11 children. James Johnson of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Clauretta Johnson of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Bessie A. Handley of Pine Bluff, Arkansas; Reverend John L. Johnson of Dallas, Texas; Maggie L. Jones of Victorville, California; Jerlene T. Pembroke of Lake Orion, Michigan; Nathaniel Johnson of the State of Louisiana; Josephine Johnson of San Bernardino, California; Vanessa Johnson of San Bernardino, California; Reverend Robert E. Johnson of Yucaipa, California. Being the eldest girl, Marie had a special bond with her siblings and helped raised them. As a matter of fact, Marie raised a lot of children, including nieces, nephews, cousin and neighbors. That is how she got her nickname sister. Her desire to serve as well as her love and respect for her family was unmatched.

Marie attended Coleman School from grade school through high school in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Marie excelled in school because Mrs. Julie Mae did not mess around when it came to school. You had to get good grades. That is one reason why Marie knew that education was the key to achieving better opportunities.

Marie meet the love of her life, Albert Banks, Sr. at the tender age of 14 at a rodeo/fair, pitching pennies for stuffed animals. Their friendship blossomed and their romance led them to the altar, and on October, 25, 1959, at the tender age of 19 the two were married in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. The two were best friends and soulmates. Albert affectionally would refer to Marie as his boo or d-baby. To their union, they had five children, the eldest daughter, Clarita Banks preceded Marie in death.

Marie was a visionary and had dreams of a better life for her and her family. Marie and Albert along with their two eldest children pilgrimaged from Arkansas on yonder to the west coast to sunny California. They initially moved to El Centro, California. Little did they know that there were not a lot of black folk in El Centro but where there was employment opportunities that is where Albert went. As luck would have it or should we say, God’s intervention, they ended up moving a street over from possibly the only other black family in El Centro. Marie made it up in her mind it was time to move from El Centro and when she set her mind to something, she was going to get her way. Marie persuaded Albert and they relocated to J Street in San Bernardino. Later, settling in a home on Allen Street in Rialto. Every house Marie had was full of love, good food, laughter and you were guaranteed a time of your life. Frequently there would be a houseful of people because she made everyone feel welcomed. Some folk came over for a short visit and others stayed for a while. Some folk stayed longer than they should have but we don’t want to put anyone on blast, at least not today.

Being a loving, caring person was engrained in Marie, and wanting only the best for her entire family, she played an instrumental role in relocating her mother, Julie Mae and siblings to San Bernardino California. Some of her fondest memories were on J Street. Marie had so many attributes similar to her beloved mother. They both loved to cook, loved family and feeding the neighborhood.

While professional excellence was embedded in Marie’s DNA, nothing was more important to her than her family and her spiritual relationship with God her Savior. Marie was baptized in 1954 at Rose Hill Missionary Baptist Church. When Marie relocated to San Bernardino she was an active member at New Hope Baptist Church where she served as the head usher. Her greatest desire was to fulfill God’s plan for her life and to become a woman of excellence and distinction who brought glory to Him.

Marie possessed an uncommon determination not only to succeed and achieve excellence in all areas of life, but did so with elegance, dignity and humility. This will forever be her legacy.

Marie attended Valley College, receiving her teaching credentials and was employed for over 30 years as a teacher working for the Rialto Unified School District and later San Bernardino Unified School District. Teaching as a substitute teacher at Kelly Elementary, Morgan Elementary, Trap Elementary and Rialto Junior High School and as a full-time teacher at Eisenhower High School, San Bernardino High School, Cajon High School, and Advocate Continuation School. Marie had a love for children and for the less fortunate. She opened a Home Sharing live-in care facility for behaviorally challenged young adults. Marie noticed that there was a shortage of teachers that wanted to teach special needs children, so without hesitation, she signed up for the job. Marie often used her own money to buy supplies for her students. If a student was hungry or needed clothes, Marie was there to feed or buy them clothes. Marie knew she could make a difference and changed her curriculum, adding dance and music in conjunction with traditional teaching techniques. Her students loved coming to school and being in her class and she was the inspiration that propelled them to excel in school. Marie would often say, these kids just need love and guidance. She formed special bonds with each of her students as they were more like children to her then students. One of her strongest attributes was showing compassion and just being there to talk or sometimes just listen.

Marie was the original Martha Stewart. She designed unique, one of a kind floral and table arrangements and other arts and craft projects. Marie’s laughter was contiguous and she lit up the whole room whenever she entered one. She just had that hora. Marie was a superb seamstress and fashionista and boy o boy could she put together some jaw dropping outfits, looking like a model on the runway or movie star on the red carpet. Her long nails were the talk of the town. Marie had an adoring heart, a comedic wit and a larger than life personality. Marie loved music and dancing but a lot of us remember her delicious cooking. This woman could have taught Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck a thing or two in the kitchen, not to mention, sorry Patti but your Patti Pies could not compete with her sweet potato pies or other desserts. Marie was known for feeding not just her family but neighbors as well as strangers. She always had fruit trees and grew fresh vegetables. She canned and made delectable jams. Marie would visit her children in college and cook in the doom room. Students in different dorms would follow the aroma straight to where she was and get not one plate but plates. When the family moved to Rialto, they were the only black family that lived in the area. They faced discrimination and it wasn’t always easy. Marie was a collector of antiques and had a collection of lanterns. During a local black-out, Marie went door to door and gave the neighbors, even some that were not so nice, lanterns, so they wouldn’t be left in the dark. This act of kindness broke a lot of barriers in the neighborhood. Eventually, the word got out about Marie’s famous fried burritos and all the kids in the area were at her door.

Although Marie loved to cook and bake, on Fridays, she boycotted the kitchen because there was a ritual in her home, Friday’s are my day off and it is date night with her husband or family night with the kids. For family night, they would typically go out for dinner and the drive-in movies. Marie loved to travel. The family had a camping trailer and off they would go on their next adventure. Marie didn’t fish, but she would clean the fish Albert and the kids caught and cook it up for dinner. Marie constantly read books and was well versed in a lot of different subjects. She believed in proper etiquette, proper diction and did not tolerate slang. Marie loved to talk to family and friends and was a confidant to many. Reminding family members of their rich black foot Indian ancestry and the importance of family unity.

Balancing her professional life with active involvement in the community, Marie engaged in the service activities that included coaching little league baseball, a team mom for football, PTA president and was on a bowling league. She was a keen chess, checkers and card player. She also loved to do puzzles and crossword.

Through good and not so good days, Marie soldiered on to the end. On Thursday, February 20, 2020, Marie laid off her armor and departed peacefully. God allowed her to take her rest. Marie now awaits the call of the life giver.

To know Marie was to love her. Although her presence would ease our mind, she is at her final resting area. Trust that Marie is at peace. Free from health issues, free from the stresses of this world, no more worries or bills or misery. For Marie is smiling and thanking all of you and her family for seeing her off to her new home.

Marie was preceded in death by her parents, Johnny Johnson and Julie Mae Johnson, her dear daughter, Clarita, her brother James Johnson and sisters Clauretta Johnson and Bessie Handley. She leaves to mourn and cherish precious and wonderful memories her loving and devoted husband, Mr. Albert Banks, Sr., four children, Albert Banks, Jr. (daughter-in-law Elsy Jacqueline), Alfred Jerrald Banks, Alicia Marie Banks and Alex James Banks. 12 Grandchildren, LaTasha D. Banks, Dominick J. Baker-Banks, Daniel A. Baker-Banks, Gene Devine, Lauren Devine, Albert C. Banks, III, Roy L. Anderson, Jr., Brandy L. Salinas, Bryan C. Banks, Alex J. Banks, Dylan M. Banks, and Alexis M. Banks, eight great-grandchildren, four sisters, Maggie L. Jones (brother-in-law Bishop Eugene Jones), Jerlene T. Pembroke, Josephine Johnson, Vanessa Johnson three brothers, Reverend John Johnson (sister-in-law Betty Ann), Nathaniel Johnson, Reverend Robert Johnson (sister-in-law, Angela), three sister’s in love, Charlene Thornton, Janice R. Kirksey, Sherrie Baker, a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, her trusted care-giver Shavette Brown and many friends.