Sylvia Ann Johnson Banks

Mrs. Sylvia Ann Johnson Banks 70 of Charlotte, NC. passed away Monday October 30, 2017 at Carolinas Medical Center – Pineville  Pineville, NC. Funeral service will be held Saturday November 11, 2017 @ Silver Mt. Baptist Church 501 W. Arrowood Rd. Charlotte, NC 28217. Visitation will begin at 11:00 am and the service will follow at 12:00 pm. Interment will be in the Church cemetery.

Sylvia Ann (Johnson) Banks was born on March 24, 1947, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Yvonne (Chatman) and Samuel Johnson, Sr.  She was the oldest of four children born of this union.  She departed this life on Monday, October 30, 2017, peacefully.  Sylvia was preceded in death by her father, Samuel Johnson Sr. and her brother Samuel Jr.

Sylvia attended John Hay High School in Cleveland, Ohio.  She was an excellent student focusing on secretarial and business courses.  After graduation from high school, Sylvia began working for the Ohio Bell Telephone Company, now doing business as AT&T.   She was one of the first African American women to be hired at Ohio Bell.  Sylvia was an exemplary employee and stenographer with excellent administrative skills and was liked and loved by all who knew her.

On November 4, 1967, Sylvia and Stanley Banks were united in marriage and out of that marriage, three children were born: Shannon (Banks) Marsh, Stanley Banks, Jr., and Sonya Banks.   Sylvia was a devoted mother and relinquished her job in order to focus much of her attention as a committed homemaker and mother while in Atlanta.   She later retired as a Branch Administrator from Met Life in Charlotte, NC.

Sylvia gave her life to Jesus when she was twelve years old and continued her steadfast belief in God and His goodness until her last breath.  Sylvia’s strong faith in Jesus Christ was her template and foundation throughout her life that her children recognized and continue to follow throughout their lives.  Sylvia achieved her purpose in life, in raising three beautiful, wonderful, thoughtful children, in addition to sowing the hugs of a loving mother into countless children entrusted to her spiritual care and encouragement.  We love her for being the amazing mother that she was.

Sylvia was a member of Blood of the Lamb Deliverance Church, where she served as a diligent “Prayer Warrior” and faithful member for nearly twenty years.  Sylvia loved to pray, praise, worship, and read her bible because of the special relationship she held with Jesus Christ.  Sylvia’s love and overall knowledge of the bible was unquestioned.  She was persistent in her desire and unwavering belief in the eternal and unfailing Word of God.

Sylvia’s living spirit has become a Legacy of Love, and she will be truly missed here by all who were so fortunate to know her.  She was known for her beautiful smile, sparkling eyes, warm hugs, love for Steven Seagal and quick wit!  She leaves to carry out her legacy: her loving husband Stanley E. Banks, Sr.; daughter, Shannon (Banks) Marsh (Myron); son, Stanley E. Banks Jr.(Daphne), and youngest daughter, Sonya  Banks, Yvonne Johnson (mother) , Willard Johnson (brother) Dorothy Johnson (sister) and five grandchildren-Zoe Banks, Zaria-Noelle Banks, Austin Banks, Avery Banks, Tayler Marsh & Corey Houston, and one great grandson-Keegan Outland.  Sylvia will also be remembered by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and BOLD children.