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.
Paul Moss planted 5 trees in memory of Mary Alice Banks . - June 14, 2025
Douglas Bonner sent Pink Tribute Spray for Mary Alice Banks - June 14, 2025
Blessings of comfort & love to the entire family
Ms. Banks was one of the sweetest teachers at FPHS. She was loved by all the students and always had a smile for each student ❤️
I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mary Alice Banks! I was truly saddened to hear about her passing. I met her many years ago when her daughter, LaShandra, was attending Alabama State University. Mary Alice Banks was a wonderful person who's legacy of love, faithfulness, devotion and excellence will never be forgotten. May her family be comforted by God's unwavering love!
Prayers of comfort & healing to the entire family of Ms Banks
So stunned when I received this news! I know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. My condolences to Lashandra and the family!!!
My prayers remains with the entire family.
To the family of Mary Alice Banks, we are praying for you all during this difficult time. May God surround you all with comfort and strength. I will always cherish my last conversation with Mary Alice last July when I was home. I really enjoyed talking with her.
To the family of Mary A. Banks it saddened my heart to hear of her passing and you have my sincerest condolences. She taught me at Five Points. She was my greatest inspiration in ways one couldn't Amagine I had the opportunity to express that to her at our class reunion. She was kind and a women who was classic and stood without ever having to swing. A gracious women retains honor Proverbs 11:16.
Sending prayers and condolences to the Knox, Banks and Holmes, and may God comfort you all during this time of sorrow. Ms Mary Alice will truly be missed 💔🙏🏾
T0 The family of Mary Alice Banks, It was with a sadden heart when I heard about Mary Alice passing. As we talked that Friday, I never would have thought that she was about to transition so soon. She loved serving the Lord, so I guess the Lord needed a special person to call home. Rest my dear friend, you are out of your sickness and is home with the Lord. Family, I have you in my prayers. Sending love ❤️
To MY FAMILY: I was so saddened to hear the loss of a GREAT, SPECIAL, an SWEET LADY. We had such a great time at family gatherings. She was such a humorous person that always kept us laughing and talking about old times. MARY ALICE, u will always be remembered with a smile. We will surely miss you. R.I.P. my LOVE. 💋💋
My prayers and condolences goes out to the family in the loss of such a sweet and beautiful woman of God. Whom I am grateful to be a former student of hers Five Points High school and a co labor of hers from the Bowen East District, Lanett Alabama
Sending 🙏🏽🙏🏽s and Condolences to the Knox'/Banks/Holmes Families
Sending my Condolences to the Family, Ms. Bank will truly be missed.. Thanks you for the wonderful memories we shared together at Fairfax School when we was there you want never before gotten Ms. Banks R.I.P I Love youGod Just received a Beautiful Angel😇😇😞😢🥲😒🥲🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽❤️ Love always Sandra ANNISE Burton and Family
I'm sorry for your loss, may God be with you.
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