Obituary of Lillian Banks

Lillian Virginia Carroll was born in Monroe, Michigan on March 10, 1924. She was one of twelve children the youngest daughter born from the union of the late William Carroll Smith and the late Mary Jane (Kivett) Carroll. She attended Lincoln School. On February 8, 1947, Lillian married her true love, John Wesley Banks in Bowling Green, Ohio. From their union would come the gift of a daughter: Janet. Lillian was a devout Christian and had attended Bible Fellowship Church for many years. She also avidly read her Bible completing this feat more than one hundred times. Lillian was happy and outgoing. She was quick witted, love to share conversation, and enjoyed telling jokes. She was a caretaker to all those around her. Since, she loved to serve others, cooking was one of her best dishes. Spaghetti was always one of her diner's favorite specialties. Lillian enjoyed the outdoors and liked gardening and growing flowers. She enjoyed putting puzzles together. Lillian was a talented artist with the ability to create cartoon characters, women, and dresses. Lillian Virginia Banks, age 89 of Monroe passed away at 3:36am, Sunday, June 23, 2013 at Mercy Memorial Hospital. In addition to her parents her passing was preceded by her eleven siblings: Ruby, Hazel, Stella, Viola, Rose, Margaret, Cynthia, Ernest, Robert E. Lee, Amos, and Richard. To cherish her memory she leaves her beloved husband of sixty-six years: John Wesley Banks of Monroe; one daughter: Janet L. (Gary) Simmons of Monroe; four grandchildren: Kim (John) Monday, Rodney (Miho) Simmons, Mark (Heather) Simmons, and Gary Jonathon Simmons; ten great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren with one on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, June 27, 2013 also at Merkle's with the Reverend Von Loop, Reverend James Walker, and the Reverend Eugene White co-officiating. Procession will follow to Woodland Cemetery for burial. A luncheon will follow at Bible Fellowship Church. Memorials for those who desire are suggested to Bible Fellowship Church. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, make a donation, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.