Virgie Banks

HAYWOOD CITY - Virgie Lee "Sister" Banks, 83, died May 7, 2003, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Born Dec. 7, 1919, in Forrest City, Ark., daughter of the late Tommie and Julie Caruthers Sims, she lived in Missouri for more than 59 years. She was a member of New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church.

In December 1941, she married Rogers Banks who preceded her in death in August 1960.

Survivors include: four sons, Rogers Banks and Donald Banks of Haywood City and Melvin Banks and Delbert Banks of Sikeston; four daughters, Sarah Woodson and Brenda Banks of Haywood City, Aretha Smoot of Chicago, Ill., and Abigail Smith of Sikeston; and 45 grandchildren, 67 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by three daughters, four sons and one great-grandson.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. Saturday until service time at 1 p.m. at the New Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Alex Sims, pastor, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the J.C. Pullen Memorial Cemetery at Bell City.

Williams-Farr and Purnell Funeral Home of Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.