Ruth E. Banks

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Visitation Saturday, November 28, 2020 from 9:00 until time of Private Family Service 11:00 a.m. at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Ln. Dyer, IN (The funeral service will be live streamed from our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH ) .  Interment Mt. Glenwood Memory Gardens South – Glenwood, IL. (In consideration of others, masks are required at funeral home)

Missionary Ruth Banks was born to Moss and Samella Shotwell on December 31, 1943, in West Point, Mississippi. She was one of seventeen children. Her parents and twelve of her siblings preceded her in death.

“Missionary”, as she was fondly called by many, brought a brilliant light into the lives of many. Cooking and baking were just a few of her great passions. It was not unusual to find her cooking enormous meals for many occasions, both for those held in the church as well as those held at other venues. She was an experienced baker of delicious, mouth-watering sweet potato pies, dinner rolls and cakes. One could always depend on Chef Banks to bring an array of all types of foods to any event. In addition to her cooking and baking, Ruth supported many mothers during the births (a doula) of their children. Queen Mother Ruth, as she was named by the late Elder William Ross, Sr., was instrumental in counseling many mothers and wives. She was a tremendous encourager to the many she counseled over the years.

On November 21, 1969, she married Derek Craig Banks who would later become her pastor. Shortly thereafter, Ruth confessed the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior in a service at Bethlehem Healing Temple under the leadership of the late Bishop Charles E. Poole and Evangelist Mattie B. Poole. In 1971, she and her husband joined the Old Land Mark Church of God Holiness in Christ under the leadership of the late Apostle Robert L. Mitchell. During her membership, she served on the Usher Board and also performed duties as one of the church secretaries for over ten years. As time progressed, God led Apostle Banks to initiate an outreach ministry for the residents of Chicago's Westside, an area which he frequented as an unsaved young man. Apostle Banks obeyed the leading of God and established True Word Outreach Ministries. Ruth wholeheartedly supported Apostle Banks in this new endeavor. When the church was in its infancy, she worked faithfully by her husband's side to enhance the church; she spearheaded various building fund projects so that financial obligations would be satisfied. Even when the church grew, Ruth continued her works.

Ruth loved her husband of 51 years. She would often testify of his being her boyfriend, lover and husband who lavished her with new cars and many other things often without her having to ask. Ruth boasted that Apostle Bank would prepare delicious meals (especially breakfast) and bring to her in bed during her sickness.

Ruth leaves to cherish her warm memories a loving and devoted husband, Apostle Derek C. Banks; six children: Orlando Banks (Maureen), Cassandra Banks, Felicia Banks (preceded her in death), Danielle Banks; Charlotte Bowers, Sheree Banks; grandchildren: Orlandria Banks, (preceded her in death), Roderick Banks, Jared Bradford, one great grandson: Daevon Cotton, four remaining siblings, sister, Minnie Helen Miles, three brothers, Charles Shotwell (Patricia), L.T. Shotwell and Sam Henderson Shotwell; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.

Visitation Saturday, November 28, 2020 from 9:00 until time of Private Family Service 11:00 a.m. at Smits Funeral Home, 2121 Pleasant Springs Ln. Dyer, IN (The funeral service will be live streamed from our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SmitsFH ) .

Interment Mt. Glenwood Memory Gardens South – Glenwood, IL.