Evelyn Nell Banks

Evelyn Nell Banks, 89, of Paragould, Arkansas passed from this life on Sunday, October 1, 2023. She was surrounded by many loved ones and in her own home.

Evelyn was born October 7, 1933 to Raymond and Thelma Woods. She was raised by her maternal grandparents Samuel and Loney Utley, who sold a fattening hog to pay a lawyer to gain custody, and was rolled into a very large and loving family.

She graduated from Lafe High School in 1951. She then married Charles Banks in December 1951. They had 5 children together starting in December of 1952 with Karen, then came Stanley, Rodger, Stephen, and ending with Linda in April, 1971.

Shortly after she married they moved to St Louis, Missouri along with other family members to work in the city. The family returned to Arkansas several years later when the building of Interstate 44 caused the home they resided in to be taken over by the city. She and Charles purchased a business from her Aunt Myrtle and Uncle Jimmy Utley and ran the popular Banks Café in down town Paragould until 1970. At that time she chose to sell the business and stay home with her two youngest children. Later she worked as a housekeeper for several families and watched after her mother, Thelma, and stepfather, Henry Morris.

Evelyn finally retired at 80 after suffering a serious battle with cancer. The last 3 years of her life were a slow steady decline with Dementia during which she became an accomplished escape artist and a determined landscaper who refused to allow a single pine needle or leaf to remain on the yard and a serious fire bug who could find mysterious ways to set fires to remove said leaves and pine needles. Much to the dismay of her family.

She was loved and respected as an honest, responsible Christian woman who cared deeply about her family and others. She will be missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband Charles Banks, her sons Rodger Banks and Stephen Banks, her parents Raymond Woods and Henry and Thelma Morris, and her Grandparents Samuel and Loney Utley who raised her.

She is survived by her loving sister Louise Banks and her children Karen, Stanley and Linda Ann. Her grandchildren Kristina Shields, Brian Moe, Sean Banks, Eric Banks, Burkemon Banks, Adrian Banks, Ashley Torres, Bret Banks, Joshua McDonald and Logan McDonald. Great grandchildren, Kimber Shields, Kylie Banks, Juan Torres, Sofia Torres, Leo Torres, Harleigh Banks, Madison Banks, Tucker Banks, Haven McDonald, Charlie McDonald and Aurora McDonald.

A Celebration of Life for Evelyn will be held Saturday, October 7th at Life Paragould Church, 3017 McDaniel Road, Paragould, Arkansas from 2 until 4 pm.

In lieu of Flowers the Family asks that you consider your Local Food Bank or the Paragould Children’s Home.