Eleanor Banks Thomas

On February 28th, 1929, Eleanor Banks Thomas was born to the late Rudolph William Banks and Rose Waldron Banks in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was the firstborn of six children, three sisters, and two brothers. She was the glue that held the family together and was dearly loved by all of her siblings. Eleanor began her education, by attending a one-room schoolhouse in elementary school up to the fifth grade. She then went on to graduate from Perquimans High School in Hertford, North Carolina. In high school, she was a cheerleader and played basketball.

Her father ran a car dealership and he would often let her drive a new car to her games.

Eleanor furthered her education, by attending Elon College in Elon, North Carolina. As a young adult, she helped her dad manage the Williamston Bus Station. During WWII, with gas shortages, bus travel was a big business among the military and civilians alike.

At the age of 20, she met and married the love of her life, Howard Allen Thomas, whom she wed on August 15, 1950, in Greensboro, North Carolina. Soon after, the newlyweds relocated to Jacksonville, Florida to begin their new life together. Howard and Eleanor had two daughters, Mary Gwen and Becky, the lights of their life. In the summer of 1981, Eleanor and her family hosted a young girl from Kyoto, Japan, Yuko Terada, for four weeks through the organization, Children's International Summer Villages. Eleanor had reflected that "This was a delightful experience for each of the girls and the families involved; and that these friendships will be everlasting and will aid in our quest for worldwide peace. Eleanor was written up in the Florida Times-Union for being a fabulous cook and baker. Two of her favorite recipes were her sour cream pound cake and her infamous pecan tarts. Eleanor made these all the time for parties or to take to friends. She was the embodiment of a true servant. Eleanor was the first to raise her hand for any known need and loved to entertain, cook for, and chauffeur others.

For over 50 years, she was a faithful and integral member of the San Jose Church of Christ, where she was an encourager and a ray of sunshine. She lived a life full of joy, purpose, and love being shown to anyone she came across. Aside from her contributions to her church and community, Eleanor worked for the American Surety Life Insurance Company and then on to State Farm Insurance for many years. Apart from her faith, nothing was more important to her than her daughters and granddaughters and they often went on girl's trips together. One of their favorites was to New York City, where Mimi took Grace and Mary for three days straight to the American Girl Doll Store. She made sure they always looked their best; buying them dresses at Willies in Avondale or pressing their clothes before school. She took great joy in ensuring they were fed well. They brought her the most joy in her later years, and her greatest legacy will be in the way she taught her daughters and granddaughters to encourage, love, and serve. This loving mother, doting grandmother, sister, and friend passed away peacefully on December 14, 2021, with her two surviving daughters, Mary Gwen and Becky by her side. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Gwen Boyett (Herb) and Becky Woodward (Bill), her two granddaughters, Grace, and Mary Woodward; her siblings, Sadie Eure, Charles Banks (Laneta), Walter Banks (Suk), Penny Cromer (John), Bonnie Kidd (RG) and many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews.

A visitation for Eleanor will be held Friday, December 17, 2021, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Hardage Giddens Oaklawn Chapel 4801 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207 and the funeral will be held Saturday, December 18 at 11 am at San Jose Church of Christ, 6233 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32217. Flowers, cards, and memorial contributions to the San Jose Church of Christ are all welcome.