Ellen D Banks

Ellen Darlene Banks, 66, passed away on January 26, 2019 at Saint Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She was born on August 5, 1952 in Lawrence, Kansas to Elsie Lyle. She grew up in Rocheport, Missouri and Wichita, Kansas. As a single mother of her first child Russell Lyle, she later made her way to Kansas City, where she met and married Joe Banks Sr. Together they had 3 children, Jotina, Joe Jr., and Elita.

From the age of 18, Ellen worked for several large hospitals and nursing homes including Saint Joseph Medical Center and Shawnee Mission Medical Center as a Certified Nurse Assistance. She always worked overtime to ensure her patients needs were met. After her divorce in 1984, she worked hard as a single parent to provide for her four children. She made sure that her children's schoolwork was completed. She loved her family and taught her children about Jesus at a young age.

Ellen Darlene worked as a CNA until she retired in 2001. Once she retired, that left Ellen with ample time to focus on her children and grandchildren. Ellen loved to cook holiday meals for her family, shop at local thrift stores and garage sales, and travel. She especially enjoyed going to Hawaii. Ellen was a strong fighter and showed that strength by supporting her family in her later years. She gave them time to grieve for her children's father, Joe Banks Sr., and her grandson Jeremy Banks.

She is preceded in death by her mother and father, her son Russell Lyle, her grandson Jeremy Banks, and her Aunt Shirley Finley.

She will be greatly missed by her daughter Jotina White (Mike), son Joe D Banks Jr. (Leslie), and daughter Elita Banks of Kansas City, Missouri. Her grandchildren Daniel Banks, Joe Devon Banks, Isaiah Banks, Aleeyah Banks, Russell Richard, and Jordan Banks will miss her dearly as well. She also leaves behind two great grandchildren, Amaya Dirck and Penny (expected February 26, 2019) and a host of other family and friends.