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In loving memory
of
Velma Banks
Sunrise
Sunset
SunsetJan 22,1946 Jun. 21,2011
Funeral Service
Saturday, June 25, 2011
2:00 pm
A.M. Marks Chapel
Marks Funeral Home
Magnolia, Arkansas
Interment
St. Matthew Cemetery
McNeil, Arkansas
Rev. Jimmy Smith, Jr. Eulogist
Reflections of Life
Velma R. Banks was born on January 22, 1945 in McNeil, Arkansas to the late Theo and Alberta Banks.
She professed her life to Christ at the St. Matthew Baptist Church, McNeil, Arkansas and later became a member of the Fellowship Baptist Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Upon moving to Little Rock, Velma united with the St. John Missionary Baptist Church where she actively participated in the Nurses Guild, the Funeral Committee, the Women’s Missionary Union, Sunday School and the United Voices Choir. With career goals in biology, nursing, and allied health, Velma graduated from McNeil High School and matriculated through the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, McPherson College, the University of Kansas, and the University of Missouri in Kansas City, obtaining degrees in biology and nursing, as well as a graduate degree in education. She was a life long learner and was currently working on a PhD in Psychology.In 2010,Velma published her first book of poetry, Out of the Thunder, Sunlight in Winter Rain, in which she generously donated copies to the Scholarship Fund of St. John Missionary Baptist Church.She leaves to cherish her memory: one son, Brandon Banks of Hot Springs, Arkansas ; two sisters, Shirley Dismuke of Detroit, Michigan and Betty Greene of Little Rock, Arkansas; one niece, Tene’ Dismuke; one nephew, Jevon Dismuke, and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends A Gift of Time
from the book, “Out of the Thunder, Sunlight in Winter Rain”
By Velma Banks
So little time, yet so many tasks undone.
We must learn to live in each moment as we give
to friends and strangers alike
a gift of time, a gift of life.
We capture each breath of life’s fresh air
as if it were the last to spare.
We take the time to show to others how much we care.
We never know what changes time will bring:
if the next day will be our past,
or if the next moment might be our last.
