Mrs. Inez Banks

May 21, 1935 - January 19, 2016

****NOTE: IN LIEU OF FLOWERS**** The family requests sending contributions in memory of Mrs. Inez Banks to the: GALILEE BAPTIST CHURCH STUDENT EDUCATIONAL FUND 1216 North Westnedge Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Inez Ferguson was born May 21, 1935 in Fosters, Alabama to Dennis and Willie Ethel (Maddix) Ferguson. Inez died and received her heavenly reward Tuesday, January 19, 2016 after a brief illness. She attended Dry Creek Schools in Fosters, Alabama. In 1952, Inez Ferguson married her schoolmate Virgil Lee Banks. To this union six children were born: twins Gaynell and Floyzell, Earnest (deceased), Virgil Jr., Cedric and Dennis. In 1967 the family moved from Alabama to Kalamazoo, where they joined Galilee Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Mabry Gardner. While at Galilee, Inez has been very active in the church serving on the Sr. Usher Board, Mother's Board, Mission Society and The Women’s Auxillary. Inez was a faithful and obedient servant of God. One of the scriptures she often recited is Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God". In 2000, Inez and Virgil returned to Fosters, Alabama where they were members of Fosters Community Church. She later returned to Comstock, Michigan in 2005, after Virgil’s death. They were married 52 years. Inez was employed at Kalamazoo State Hospital as a housekeeper. She earned her High School Diploma from Comstock High School in 1980. Inez loved flowers, gardening and enjoyed spending time with a group of friends known as “The Coffee Ladies”. She also enjoyed traveling, and had an opportunity to visit places such as Hawaii, Cabo San Lucas and China. Inez leaves to cherish her memory: children, Gaynell (Elmer) Williams of Benton Harbor, Michigan; Floyzell Alford of Sacramento, California; Virgil Jr. (Denise) of Phoenix, Arizona; Cedric Banks of Kalamazoo, Michigan and Dennis (Raquel) Banks of Detroit, Michigan; 15 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild; siblings: Lela Sealy of Columbus, Ohio; Arbelene Brown of Hammond, Indiana; Linda, Diane, Michael and Robert Ferguson of North Carolina; special sister-in-laws: Betty Banks, Betty Williams and Frances Jones; god-daughters, Nell Fryer-Wilson, Carolyn Alford and Virginia McKintosh. Also, a host of other relatives and friends. Inez joins her husband Virgil Banks Sr, mother Willie Ethel Maddix, father Dennis Ferguson, brother Eugene Ferguson and so many other family members in Heaven.