Obituary of Katherine Melinda Banks

Katherine Melinda Banks, age 92, of Leicester died Sunday, April 10, 2022.

Mrs. Banks was born February 2,1930 in Buncombe County, where she lived all her life.  She was the daughter of the late Raymond Hawkins and Elizabeth “Betsey” Alexander Hawkins and was the wife of Charles H. “Flashlight” Banks for 71 years.

Mrs. Banks was a lifetime member of Mountain View Freewill Baptist Church and was strong in her faith.  She volunteered at Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministries and was dedicated to helping those in need and serving others with her time and talents.  She was very close to her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren, and they brought much joy to her life. 

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Banks was preceded in death by two brothers; Bill and Reeves Hawkins; and an infant sister, Shirley Hawkins.

Mrs. Banks is survived by her husband, Charles H. “Flashlight” Banks; son, Ray Banks and his wife, Vikki Maney Banks, and son, Roger Banks and his wife, Missy Parris; a brother, Ted Hawkins and his wife, Betty; three grandchildren, Aaron (Christie), Kimberly (Kurt) and Lauren; three great-grandchildren, Paul, Clint and Lilly; and several nieces and nephews. 

Her funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2022 in the chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Avenue, Weaverville, NC with burial following at the Mountain View Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, 769 Alexander Road, Leicester, NC. The Reverend Anthony Fox will officiate. The family will receive friends 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 14, at the funeral home.

Flowers are appreciated.  Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider Mountain View Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Ms. Becky Ponder, 15 Harbeck Drive, Weaverville, NC 28787.

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Banks’ obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.