Ms. Mary Alice Banks, age, 75, of Lanett, AL, transitioned on June 9, 2025 at EAMC-Lanier, Valley, AL.

Funeral Services for Ms. Mary Alice Banks will be held on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. ET in the sanctuary of the Ebenezer Baptist Church,1006 North 10th Avenue, Lanett, AL with Rev. Alford Booker, Officiating, Rev. Dr. Jesse J. Walker II, Pastor, Eulogist.

Interment will follow in the Hillcrest Cemetery, 3202 Country Club Road, Lanett, AL.

Public viewing will take place on Sunday, June 15, 2025 from 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the M. W. Lee Mortuary.

Ivy Beyond The Wall Ceremony will take place on Monday, June 16, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. ET in the sanctuary of the church. Doors will be closed at 10:25 a.m. No one will be admitted afterwards .
The remains will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service.

MARY ALICE BANKS was born on August 13, 1949, in Troup County, Georgia to the late Bennie R. Banks, Sr. and Quince Ella Banks. She was the oldest of five children.

At six years of age, Mary Alice accepted Christ and joined Ebenezer Baptist Church, Lanett, Alabama under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend C. R. Sheridan. She was baptized in the name of Jesus and served faithfully as pianist, choir director, Sunday school teacher, vacation bible school director and teacher, youth director, choir member, church clerk, secretary for the Christian Education Ministry, secretary for the Missionary Society, finance committee member, coordinator for the Golden Age Ministry, and church van driver.

Mary Alice was also active in the Bowen East District Baptist Association, where she served over 35 years as the district youth director, seven years as the 2nd Vice President for the Bowen East District Congress of Christian Education, and instructor in the Congress of Christian Education. In 2022, she was appointed by Moderator Gary Dixon as the Spiritual Advisor for the Youth Council and YYA. She also served on various committees for the Bowen East District. She was a woman of strong faith who loved the Lord and was faithful in service throughout her life.

Mary Alice graduated from Lanier High School in 1967 and was accepted into Alabama A & M University, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Library Media Services in 1971. She furthered her education at Alabama State University where she received a Master’s Degree in Education in 1974.

She began her teaching career in 1971 with the Troup County Board of Education where she taught at East Side Girls Junior High School. From 1972 to 1975 she was employed by the Shelby County Board of Education where she taught at Vincent High School. From 1975 to 2003 she was employed by the Chambers County Board of Education where she taught at Five Points High School and Fairfax Elementary School. After 33 years of educational service, she retired from Alabama and continued her teaching career in Georgia.

From 2003 to 2010 she was employed by the Meriwether County Board of Education where she taught at Greenville High School and George E. Washington Elementary School. From 2010 to 2021 she worked at Ault Academy in LaGrange, Georgia where she taught English, Spanish, reading, and keyboarding, as well as serving as the librarian, administrative assistant, and paraprofessional. Not content to sit idle after her second retirement, Mary Alice began volunteering as an after-school tutor in 2022. Mary Alice was a mentor to many students along the way who still appreciate her concern for them in the classroom. She loved her profession and worked for 50 years giving it all she had.

While at Alabama A&M University, Mary Alice pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Gamma Mu Chapter in 1969. In 1976, Mary Alice became a charter member of Lambda Zeta Omega (LZO), the first graduate chapter in Lanett, Alabama. During her time with the LZO Chapter, she served as MIP Chairperson, Grammateus, Tamiouchus, and Ivy Leaf Reporter. For many years she also served as a narrator for the Debutante Ball and AKAdemia Scholarship Ball. Her love for AKA never wavered and in 2019 she became a Golden Soror, marking 50 years of service. At the time of her passing, she had been an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority for 56 years.

In addition to her church and sorority activities, Mary Alice was also a member of the Alabama Education Association, Chambers County Education Association, National Education Association, Alabama Education Retirees Association, and the Alabama A&M University Alumni Association.

Mary Alice was known as a caring and kind-hearted person who loved helping others. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading, doing word puzzles, and watching her favorite TV shows, Law and Order and The Big Bang Theory. She loved her family and friends and adored her loving daughter LaShandra Quinnell Knox who was the apple of her eye and her son-in-love, Reginald Cordell Knox.

After many years of church, educational, and community service, Mary Alice answered the Master’s call and transitioned to her heavenly home on Monday, June 9, 2025, at EAMC-Lanier. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers George Frank Banks and Bennie Rufus Banks, Jr.; and a niece, Kreshinda LaShay Banks.

Her life, legacy, and love will forever live in the hearts of her beloved and devoted daughter, LaShandra (Reginald) Knox of Montgomery, Alabama; sisters, Linda B. Holmes and Desiria Y. Banks of Lanett, Alabama; nieces and nephews, Donald (Linda) Holmes Jr., Marcus (Zella’Ques) Holmes, Deidre Holmes, Madelyn (Eric) Snipes, Allison (Lydell) Trimble, Desiria D. Banks, Catherine Banks, Demetrius Banks, Tunisia (Jerome) Hall, Sidney Banks, Bentley Banks, and Brian Banks; cousins, Ned Lee Hicks and Mildred Ransom; and a host of great nieces and nephews, other relatives, church members, sorority sisters, and friends.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to M. W. Lee Mortuary.