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Beryl A. Banks
Beryl A. Banks of New York City and Sag Harbor died on October 11. She was 89.
Ms. Banks was born in New York City, the youngest of four children born to Jamaican immigrant parents George Hurd and Eltis Cookson Hurd.
She attended New York City public schools and received a Bachelor of Science degree in education, a Master of Science degree in education from the City College of the City University of New York and further studies at Teachers College at Columbia University.
Ms. Banks began her teaching career in 1954. She taught at the elementary and middle school levels. From 1970-1984, she served as reading specialist, supervisor of reading, administrator, and acting assistant principal in schools in the Bronx. She was appointed assistant principal of IS 158 Bronx in 1984, appointed principal of CS61 Bronx in 1986 and served in that role until her retirement in 1991. After retirement, Ms. Banks volunteered as a mentor and teacher trainer to newly assigned teachers in the New York City Public School system.
Ms. Banks was a member of the Council of Supervisors and Administers Retiree Chapter, the New York City Elementary School Principals Association, the New York Coalition of One Hundred Black Women, and the Eastville Community Historical Society in Sag Harbor, where she chaired the Affairs and Events Committee of the Azurest Property Owners Association and was the co-founder of the popular Harlem in the Hamptons fundraiser.
She had a passion for the arts and had been involved in various forms of the arts since childhood. Raised in an artistic and creative family environment, Ms. Banks received recognition in dance, voice and dramatics and has written plays for young people. She enjoyed theater, learning languages, current events, reading biographies and books that deal with spirituality and metaphysics. She also loved jazz, opera, standards, and all music that uplifts the spirit.
She was predeceased by her husband and best friend, Harry Banks; her mother Eltis Hurd; her father George Hurd; sister Dolores Hill; brothers Vincent Hurd and Hugh Hurd. She is survived by her sons Lyle (Louisa) Banks, Damon (Gwen) Banks; and her granddaughters Jacqueline Banks and Alexandra Banks.
A memorial for Ms. Banks will be held on Sunday, October 24, with a 10 a.m. gathering and an 1 a.m. service at the J. Foster Phillips Funeral Home at 179-24 Linden Boulevard in Jamaica, New York.
The service will also be available on Zoom.
on Oct 18, 2021