Mrs. Banks White Obituary (1929

Frances Banks White, 83, energetic, fun loving, smart, practical, great listener, sassy dresser, good friend died on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at The Windsor Place, in Columbus. She was born April 25, 1929 in Walker County Alabama to late Willie Fair and James Banks. She was a Farmers Home Admistration Loan Officer for 30 years having worked for the Daily Times Leader as well. She was a member of Riverside Chapel Baptist Church. Frances Banks White married Atwell Leon White December 13, 1945, they eloped to Alabama he preceded her on October 30, 1996 Funeral services will be Friday, March 29, 2013, 1:00 p. m. at Calvert Funeral Home Chapel with the Brother Jim Sallee officiating. Burial will follow in West Point Memorial Garden Cemetery Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements. Being an avid reader, she would stand in the driveway anxiously waiting for each of her two newspapers. There was always her Bible, Guidepost, and Reader’s Digest and several books around her comfortable reading chair. She had strong opinions about politics, fairness, and religion. She did not like gossip and was not judgmental. She lived by the quote “to each is own”. Energetic describes her in all that she did. She was obsessed with walking. Rain sleet or snow she was out walking in her neighborhood every day. Music brought life to her. She sang alto in church choir, on the radio (with brother Mack Banks) and around the house. She loved to dance and often would dance in the living room, and sometimes at the local country music junction. Her favorite music was Southern Gospel and always had the radio playing on the French Camp station. Born in 1929 during the depression, she experience poverty as a child. When she was born, a neighbor offered to give her her first pair of baby shoes if they would name her Mary Frances. She was the eighth child of ten children and learned early to be independent. She met Atwell White (deceased) at a school dance and they married a few months later that was almost 67 years ago. They had two girls Judy and Jeanene. She raised them in church and taught them practical life lessons, positive thinking, and would use lots of quotes like “not giving in to your feelings” to get her point across. Each day she would awake them for school singing “ Oh what a beautiful morning.” She believed in strict discipline and no nonsense when it came to doing the right thing. “Pretty is is pretty does” she would say to her girls a lot; again getting her point across. Frances had a life long love affair with fried okra, fresh cream corn, cornbread and milk, turnip greens home grown tomato and especially deserts like pecan pie, and her favorite candy “goo goo” bars. Friends and family were often dropping in to visit and she could throw a meal together in a heartbeat. She would place the goo goo bars around on a nice serving dish as if to say “ homemade”. She excelled in the people business at every job she had. Her outgoing personality was perfect as receptionist for Mr. Henry Harris owner and editor of the West Point Daily Times leader. She liked getting to greet every one that came it the front door. Part of her job was taking care of the paperboys. She taught them people skills and showed them how to collect their money in a nice and friendly way. It did not take long for Mr. Harris to she that had a way with people and soon gave her the challenge of collecting the outstanding debts for the paper. She had the ability to turn a difficult challenge into a positive and friendly experience. Of course she always got the money! The job that touched her heart the most was helping unfortunate people get homes when working for the Farmers Home Administration. She made many friends there and cared about their lives. She was good at all of her jobs and took pride in being able to handle most anything. She would say “If you want to get a job done ask a busy person”. After retirement she decided her neighborhood needed to get on the city water system. She accomplished her goal. It was a door-to-door effort. Her eyes would light up when children were around. For many many years she served her church in the nursery. Taught children’s Sunday school and vacation bible school. On Halloween one time she picked up the children’s carpool from school wearing a pig’s mask and proceeded to drive them home staying in the pig character the whole time. She especially loved living close to her two grandchildren Heather and Jacob. She was able to spend nearly every day with them during their childhood. Survivors include her daughters, Judy Carol White and Jeanene White Pingrey of West Point. Two grandchildren; Heather McClure Vizgard and Jacob Benjamin McClure; Three great grandchildren; Anisley Nichole Vizgard and Cayden Vizgard, and Farrah Belle McClure; one brothers, Mack Banks (Anita) of West Point. She was preceded death by siblings Buford, Paul, Charles, Guy, Mavis, Jimmy Lee, Mim and Leon Pallbearers will be her beloved Nephews. Honorary Pallbearers will be the staff of the Windsor Place. Memorials may be made to Mississippi Boys Ranch, P. O. Box 1428, Columbus, MS 39703 or to Riverside Chapel Baptist Church, 11041Waterway Drive, West Point, MS