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Mattie Louise Banks
Mattie Louise Banks of Southampton, formerly of North Carolina, died at her home on Thursday, August 4. She was 89.
Born to Eddie and Bessie Sutton in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on September 10, 1921, she was the third oldest of 13 children. After leaving school to help her family, she married Garland Banks and they moved to Bridgehampton, seeking better job opportunities.
Ms. Banks joined the Bridgehampton Church of God in Christ in 1950 where she served faithfully under the guidance of Elder Garland Lee Thomas. Six years later in 1956, Mr. Thomas appointed her to the usher board. She was the first appointed usher at the Bridgehampton Church of God in Christ and she served faithfully for many years as president of the usher board. She was also a Pastor’s Aide Leader for several years under Mr. Thomas. She remained a faithful member of the church under the guidance of Pastor Thomas J. Williams who appointed her to the Mother’s Board. Ms. Banks loved working in the church in any capacity that she could.
She was a very hard-working person and held positions cooking in local restaurants for many years until she gained employment at Southampton Hospital where she worked in the housekeeping department. She also worked several part-time jobs in the domestic field.
Ms. Banks held many family gatherings and was known for her sweet potato pies, corn bread and chicken potpie.
Her biggest joy was collecting things and going to yard sales. She would often buy and save things for someone who might come by and need them, or just to look at and enjoy for herself. She was a true collector who always knew what she had even if she couldn’t remember where she put it, which often brought a good laugh to her family and friends.
She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Williams of South Carolina; four sisters, Bessie Rountree and her husband John of North Carolina, Grizzell Sutton of Hampton Bays, Ruby Grant of Connecticut and Cora Stevens of Southampton; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Mae Sutton of North Carolina; eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren; three godchildren, Robert Sylvester Jr., Dennis Wiggins and Jacquie Gettling; a “special son,” Elder Eli Fishburne; and a host of nieces, nephews, friends and relatives.
She was predeceased by her husband Garland Banks and her son Hercules Banks.
The family received friends on Monday, August 8, at the Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton. A memorial service took place on Tuesday, August 9, at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton; Reverend Thomas J. Williams officiated and Elder Eli Fishburne delivered the eulogy. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery.
on Aug 9, 2011