Lorraine M Banks

Lorraine Waid Banks died Sunday, December 9, 2012 in Vicksburg, MS at age 93. Preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Vernon Banks of Fort Smith, Ark., she was the daughter of Eli Waid and Virgie Boggs Waid of Yell County Arkansas. Her sisters, Lucille Looper and Geraldine Humphrey of Russellville also preceded her in death. Lorraine was born June 12, 1919 at Boggs Mills and was valedictorian of her Danville High School class.

She lived in Dardanelle, Russellville, North Little Rock, Sheridan and Fort Smith before her move three years ago to Vicksburg. She was a founder of Grace Baptist Church in Russellville and was a member of Central Baptist Church in Fort Smith. A member of the Colonial Garden Club, she was president of the Cavanaugh Extension Homemakers Club and president of the Sebastian County Extension Homemakers. Lorraine was also active with the Good Samaritan Auxiliary that benefits the Stepping Stone School in Alma, Ark.

She is survived by a son, Don C. Banks, PhD, of Vicksburg and a daughter, Jerry Banks Williams of Nashville, Tenn. Survivors also include three grandchildren, Kelle Banks Barfield of Vicksburg, Eric Banks of Brooklyn, N.Y, and Greg Banks of Liberty Township, Ohio, and eight great grandchildren, Arthur, Allie and Waid Barfield as well as Brayden, Hall, Katherine, John and Margaret Ann Banks. Two nieces, Kay McDaniels of Baton Rouge, La., and Paula Ronaghi of Little Rock, a nephew, Kent Humphrey of Russellville and a step grandson, Kenneth Sharp of Vicksburg, also survive.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 15 at Central Baptist Church, 3631 Jenny Lind Road, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901. The family will receive friends at 9 a.m., one hour prior to the funeral services, and immediately afterwards in the church’s Family Center. Interment will be at New Hope Cemetery near Dardanelle at 2 p.m. that afternoon. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Auxiliary at Central Baptist Church. Funeral services are under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Online tributes may be made at www.edwardsfuneralhome.com