Condolence: Dear Susan,
You lost your wonderful Dad; please accept my regrets. You were blessed with special parents. I'll always remember how Grant and I used to share the counseling duties for 2000 students; I leaned on him a lot. Joyce was my mentor during my early years at CHS. She wrote, with great difficulty, a brilliant, newsy, and clever letter to me during her final days. It is in my Memory Book.
Blessings on you and Kelly. Love, Lena

Condolence: Kelly, Susan, and Families
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. He was one of the most influential (and patient) teachers I had at Central. I last saw him at my mother Sarah's visitation in 1998. Twenty years later he still remembered me. I doubt he forgot any of his students. That visit was very much appreciated. He will be missed.

Condolence: Dear Susan, Kelly and Families,

I am so sorry not to have been able to make the trip back to Spindale when I heard the news of your father's passing. He and your mother were two of the major influences in my life along with A. B. Bumgarner and Malone Thomason. I consider myself to have been blessed to have their love and concern for me and my sisters and brother throughout our years at Central and Spencer Baptist Church.

My older sisters Joan and Brenda, my brother Danny, and my younger sister Gwen were all helped along by your parents, but they were a special blessing to me. Your mother was my mentor and made sure I got to go on to college by convincing the Spindale Women's Club that I should be their candidate for the scholarship they sponsored. Your dad was my Biology I and II teacher and my adviser for National Honor Society. I was the President in my Senior year and he and I discussed my feelings of disappointment that we had been able to do so little as a group that year. He was a real comfort to me when he pointed out that he had never had a senior class where so many members worked to help their families get by as our class had. He had a special and compassionate way of letting us see what was possible and strive to achieve it without letting us beat ourselves up over things we could not control. I will never forget either of them.

Blessings to you all as you grieve their passing and celebrate the lives they lived.

With love and gratitude.

Jill Davis Gregory
Class of 1973

Condolence: Thirty years later and I still say Mr. Banks. Time and years have separated us but I always love and respected both the Banks. May God bless and keep you in this moment of difficulty.
David Hyder

Condolence: Our deepest sympathy from classmate at Berea College and long time friends. Grant was a wonderful person and he will be missed.

Condolence: Kelly and family,

May God's grace follow you and help you through this difficult time.

Brenda Spearman and family

Condolence: Phil and I were sad to hear of the loss of Mr. Banks. I loved him and Mrs. Banks from my high school days and then how pleased our family was when you, Kelly, joined our clan of relatives. Your mom and dad then also felt like part of our family. Your parents seemed always excited to discuss teaching with me after I became a teacher.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It's comforting to know that he is now "home".

Condolence: Dear Family,
Mr. Banks was one of my teachers at R-S Central. It was evident that he loved teaching. It seemed important to him that students not only learn, but in special ways appreciate the content of his teaching. He was a kind, gentle, fair and effective teacher - one of the best I have had. Condolences to all of you.

Condolence: Both of the Banks were dear teachers of mine at RS Central (1959). Our 50th Reunion will be in 2 weeks, and I was hoping to see Mr. Banks again. Your parents were such positive people, and I shared in their joy of teaching by working 41 years in the classroom.

Condolence: Mr. Banks was a great teacher, and more than that, he was a wonderful human being. May God comfort his family, and may he rest in peace.