Elva Mae Banks

Elva Mae Banks
Dec. 6, 1930 – Dec. 19, 2018
Service December 30, 2018 with Roger Williams officiating
Elva Banks, Matriarch of five generations, is spending this Christmas and eternity in Heaven, reunited with the only man she ever loved, Jessie Ray Banks, who preceded her in death in 1972.

The best Mom EVER to Helen Ward and husband, Greg, of Roanoke, TX; proud Memaw to Beckey Poer of Grapevine, TX, and Richard Ward, who preceded her in death in 1987; Great-Memaw to Keller Detention Officer, Chandler Vilbig, of North Richland Hills, TX, and Aggie Sophomore, Makenzy Kunkel, of College Station, TX; Great-great Memaw to Gunner Lane Vilbig and Delilah Marie Campbell; Aunt, Great Aunt, and Great-great Aunt to many; Friend to everyone she met.

Born December 6, 1930, in Bells, TX., she had just celebrated her 88th birthday with dinner at her favorite place, Red Lobster. Elva was the last survivor of her siblings, Jack, Jim, Melvin, Adaline, Mollie, and Mary, born to Joseph Bernard and Geneva Keitz.

Elva’s extreme, strength and outrageous zest for life started as she was growing up during the Great Depression. She always put family and friends first and delighted in seeing them smile. She was strong-willed and hard-headed, yet always kind and generous.

Jessie and Elva married December 24, 1949. Their relationship was based on strong Christian values and total commitment. They provided a wonderful upbringing for their only child and were also “second parents” to all of Helen’s friends. Elva continued to December 19 to be a “second Mom”.

Elva loved Christmas, shopping, cooking, sewing, reading, and traveling for sightseeing. She attended school in Bells, TX., and graduated from Grayson College in Sherman, TX., in 1972, with a degree in nursing. She retired from the Bonham VA Hospital.

Sincere thanks to Gary Sipes, Trophy Club EMS; Scott Voigt, Trophy Club Police Department; Joel Quile’, Trophy Club Police Department Chaplain. Their professionalism and genuine compassion will be remembered always.