She was born Charlotte Floyd Gatton in Kelseyville, CA. on August 27, 1915. She had lived in Ventura since 1959.
Charlotte was valedictorian at Kelseyville High School where she would be the first to admit that there were only 14 seniors graduating. She also played on the girls’ basketball team. She attended Modesto Junior College but had to leave school to come home to help take care of a family emergency. She worked in the Lake county agriculture office. She had a lovely alto singing voice and was a popular soloist at weddings and funerals.
While they were both picking pears in Lake County she was introduced to Harry Garfield Banks Jr. by a mutual friend who thought they would be good for each other. They were married six weeks later on November 29, 1942. Shortly after marriage they moved to Downey. Following Harry’s jobs, they moved to Stockton where in 1951 their son, Harry Garfield Banks III, was born and moved to Woodland where their second son, Robert Reed Banks, was born in 1953.
The family moved to Ventura in 1959 and Charlotte always said that was one of the best decisions they ever made. She lived the remainder of her life in Ventura making friends wherever she went.
They soon joined the College United Methodist church where she became the church secretary from 1963 until 1984. She sang in the church choir for over 30 years. Deciding she really wasn’t ready for retirement she worked for Moore Copy Systems in Ventura.
In retirement she and Harry enjoyed traveling to see friends and relatives but rarely ventured very far from Ventura.
She was a loyal friend and a tireless worker, as evidenced by how she cared for her bedridden husband at home for years prior to his death rather than allowing him to go to a nursing home.
Recently her favorite activities included keeping in touch with her friends and family, walking around her neighborhood visiting with neighbors, and making sure the birds in the backyard got fed. While her sight and hearing were failing her mind was sharp right up to her death and she always knew the latest details of the lives of her family and many friends.
Charlotte is survived by her sons, Harry (Hal) and his girlfriend, Kathy, of Camarillo and Robert (Bob) and his wife Kim of Newbury Park; her sister, Harriett Berkes, of Fullerton, CA; her brother Dean Gatton of Napa CA; her sister-in-law, Joy Wooldridge of Kelseyville, CA; her grandchildren Jarod, Jessica and Stephanie; her nieces and nephews; and her wonderful neighbors and friends without whose help she would not have been able to remain in her own home.
In lieu of flowers, please support Heifer International project to assist world hunger.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, October 29, at College United Methodist Church, 4300 Telegraph Road, Ventura. Lunch will be served after the service.
Arrangements under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.
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