Thomas Hattaway Banks, Sr.

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Community Bible Church
3645 Cashiers Road, P.O. Box 2916
Highlands, NC  28741

Thomas Hattaway Banks, Sr.

of Little Rock, AR

September 27, 1939 - January 13, 2021

Thomas Hattaway Banks, Sr., 81, of Highlands and Cashiers, North Carolina, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. He was born on September 27, 1939 in Milledgeville, Georgia to the late Olin Orilious and Mildred Faye Banks.

Tom graduated from Georgia Tech in 1961 and began a successful 35-year career with Tennessee Eastman Company, retiring on April 1, 1997. While living in Kingsport, Tom became a pillar of the community. He was a Scout Master at Troop 250 and The Palmer Center. He was a volunteer Music Director at Weber City Baptist Church in Weber City, Virginia. Tom was an active member at First Baptist Church and later at Calvary Baptist Church, spending his time working with the youth, music, and bible teaching. Tom was an active member of the Kiwanis Club. After retirement, Tom and his wife, Mary, relocated to Highlands, North Carolina, where he was a founding member and Elder of Community Bible Church in Highlands. He faithfully served in music and leadership for 20 years at CBC. Tom was also an avid golfer who loved his music and playing his guitar.

Tom is survived by his wife of 39 years, Mary Prothro Banks; sons, Thomas Banks, Jr. and wife, Christy from Cashiers, North Carolina, Burt Banks and wife, Kari from Charlotte, North Carolina, and Lee Banks and wife, Patti from Cincinnati, Ohio; daughter, Carrie Banks Brown and husband, Brent from Holly Springs, North Carolina; 3 step-children he loved as his own, Christy Jinks Banks and husband, Tom from Cashiers, North Carolina, Jenny Jinks Rogers and husband, Dr. Tom Rogers from Kingsport, Tennessee, and Jeff Jinks and wife, Heidi from Tampa, Florida; 16 grandchildren; brother, Lin Banks and wife, Judy from Juliette, Georgia; two nieces, Christie Banks Amerison and husband Michael of Juliette, and Dr. Jerri Fant of Little Rock; one nephew Jeff Banks of Juliette; and several cousins and special friends.

A Celebration of Life honoring Tom will be held at a later time in Highlands, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, all memorials are to be made to Community Bible Church, 3645 Cashiers Road, P.O. Box 2916, Highlands, North Carolina 28741.

Arrangements under the care of Roller-Owens Funeral Home in North Little Rock.


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26 Condolence(s)
Lisa Underdown Jarvis
Cleveland, TN
Liked
Wednesday, December 28, 2022

Tom was the closest person I ever had to a 2nd father, having lost my own when I was young. He showed true leadership, faith, loyalty, & commitment. He remained steady & unmoving in his values & love of God, his family, & others. Mary, I love you & am so sorry to just receive this news but I knew something wasn’t right when I didn’t hear from him on our shared birthdays. His one day before mine. I love you & am thinking of you. Tom & Mary had a storybook love. To hear of their time in Amsterdam & though I have never met a single one of their children or grandchildren (18, I believe), I could tell you about each one. How they loved their family and how proud of each one of them Tom was & Mary is. I know Tom will be watching over from heaven and will welcome us all when we go. Tom and Mary were bright lights in my life. True godliness in love they showed me daily. When my Condo in Cashiers flooded out, they took me into their Carriage House & called me #19. Such peace & beauty & love was shared within the Banks home. Truer examples of Christ’s love, I will never know. It was a true privilege & honor to know Tom. He was one of my best life teachers and leaders and my heart will miss him so… until I see him again & I know that I will. All my love, gratitude, & prayers to Mary & to all of their children & grandchildren. I know his spirit is in your hearts and you will be reunited again, one day. Love is the gift we get to take with us when we go and we also get to leave behind. The world that Tom walked in was left with his very giving fragrance of love. And so I can only say to my precious brother & mentor in Yeshua Ha Mashiach… “Thank you for giving to the Lord. I’m a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave.” Thank you, Tom. I’ll be seeing you. Love you Mary.

Sarah Haughton
Atlanta, GA
Liked
Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Our sweet Tom represented the best in our family. He was strong, and steadfast & devoted to all of us. I remember spending a wonderful weekend hiking with Mary & Tom in Highlands & hearing his band play in the church service. I think he is playing in that heavenly band now🙏🏻

Mary Harris
Sherwood, AR
Liked
Sunday, March 14, 2021

Loved this sweet man and Mary from the first day when they came to take care of Ms. Virginia in Sherwood at Levy Baptist Church!! Kindest people ever❤️ Praying for all the family in the days ahead especially Mary🙏

Wesley Wicker
Big Canoe, GA
Liked
Tuesday, February 9, 2021

We will miss our cousin Tom. He was a giant of a man, in all regards... ...someone you looked up to physically, and looked up to spiritually, and with great admiration.

George Wicker
Norcross, GA
Liked
Friday, January 22, 2021

As a young boy of 6 or 7, I vividly remember going to Milledgeville and seeing Tom and Lin; going into their room and hearing the music of guitars and song. To me they were ten feet tall and like the Everly Brothers I saw on TV. But they were never too tall to reach out to a little guy like me and make me feel welcomed into the family. For 60 years I always looked forward to seeing them both at family gatherings, sharing the music and the Bible. Thanks Tom for your love to the family. Well done good and faithful servant.

Jerry Moore
Highlands, NC
Liked
Friday, January 22, 2021

I met Tom in Highlands and recall him as encouraging and kind. Tom was always quick to ask about you and your family. He clearly lived a good life and made a significant impact on this world. We are assured he is worshiping our Father in heaven as he did on earth. Peace and blessings to the Banks Family.

Andy Barker
Rocky Mount, NC
Liked
Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Tom was one of the biggest, positive influences my life. Going back to First Baptist in Kingsport in the mid 1960’s , he was part of the team that directed our High School Youth group that were questioning, challenging, and often unruly. He was a great Counselor, patient, and lead us with his Christian life. We were blessed to have his guidance and inspiration. Tom will always be remembered.
Thank you God for Tom Banks.

Jim and Sylvia Harris
Kingsport, TN
Liked
Wednesday, January 20, 2021

As a fellow Eastman employee for 35 years, I found Tom to be one of the nicest people that I have ever known. He was a genuine Christian Gentleman. He will be sorely missed. By the way, he made great pickles.

John and Myrtle Page
Macon, GA
Liked
Wednesday, January 20, 2021

So sorry and surprised to learn of Toms death.He seemed to be healthier than most of us his age though we have not been with him in over a year.We have missed seeing him and Mary since leaving Highlands. We had some wonderful dinners together and great mountain bike rides together. We were very much looking forward to their return to Highlands.We hope to attend his memorial service in Highlands! Tom will surely be missed by a lot of really good people. We are so so sad!

Emilee Banks
Oakland, CA
Liked
Tuesday, January 19, 2021

I feel so proud to share DNA with Grandaddy and to be part of his continued legacy. He was always loving and supportive and never missed a chance to tell us how proud he was of us. What a gift to have had a grandfather like him, he will be deeply missed.

Ted Heilig
Brentwood, TN
Liked
Sunday, January 17, 2021

Tom was my direct supervisor off on and on during my 36 years at Eastman more than any other person and you couldn't have wanted a better boss, friend, or mentor. I will always cherish my time working and knowing Tom and Mary. It is a true loss and he is missed greatly.

Wright Banks, Jr.
Atlanta, GA
Liked
Saturday, January 16, 2021

I was very sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I spent a lot of time around his parents growing up and they always talked about how proud they were of Tom and Lin. I am glad for the times that i got to interact with Tom over the years. He was a fine person and his family is in my thoughts.

Dwight Minnick
Kingsport, TN
Liked
Saturday, January 16, 2021

Sad news. My sincere prayers for everyone.

jim thompson
Murfreesboro, TN
Liked
Saturday, January 16, 2021

I worked with Tom for 35 years and he was always the kind of person we all strive to be...a scholar, a gentleman and extremely talented. He will be so missed but not forgotten.

Jenny Rogers
Kingsport, TN
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Poppa taught me the Power of Love and Forgiveness, the strength of kindness and humility and the Grace to stand in the midst of adversity and say, “It is well with my soul”. We loved deep... my second dad and me. I miss him.

Clair Banks
Los Angeles, CA
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

What is a profound loss on this earth, I am proud to be a part of how my grandfather continues on. He remains a light in my life and the sadness felt for family and friends is met with the closeness I feel with his spirit

Kaylee
Atlanta, GA
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Uncle Tom ,

You will be greatly missed . What a wonderful man and role model . Your prayers could move mountains and I know you are watching over us from heaven .

Kaylee
Atlanta, GA
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Uncle Tom ,

You will be greatly missed . What a wonderful man and role model . Your prayers could move mountains and I know you are watching over us from heaven .

Christie Amerson
Macon, GA
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

As we grieve for our great loss, Christians can also rejoice in the knowledge that he is home, really home.... where deep down inside we all long to be. Oh what a home going that he had too, he was greeted right there at the gate by Faye Banks, arms wide open and smiling from ear to ear. And what a day of rejoicing to be reunited with all of our family and friends who have gone home as well... but more than ANYTHING, he got to meet Jesus, his Savior, face to face!!!!!
I called him “Unka” and Aunt Mary is “ain’t”.... I know that I know that he loved me so much, we had a special bond. I LOVE you so much Unka, and I love you too Ain’t. I was one blessed niece to have you as my Unka! And I’m so happy that I get to spend eternity with you!!!

Becky Hill
Jonesborough, TN
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Tom was such a dear friend and mentor to so many of us at Calvary. His influence will forever be felt. Love you Mary and am lifting you up in prayet.

Phyllis Sipe
Kingsport, TN
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Tom sang at our wedding 31 years ago and he and Mary were our SS teachers at Calvary Baptist. He was a dear man and loved by many! He will be missed...my love and prayers go out to Mary snd the entire family!

Jane Webb
Highlands, NC
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

To rephrase Lees words, "Best friend you coud ever imagine!! I am going to miss him terribly! I rejoice for where he is! I rejoice that I will be able to see him again on an eternal basis! I know that the Lord smiled at Tom as he crossed over the line and said, "Welcome my son! Job well done!!" My life has been so much richer for the fact that Tom Banks was a part of it - a brother and the dearest friend a person could have!! I'll bet he's doing some "picking' and singing' " with Chet Atkins! Heaven just got enhanced!!

Connie and Keith Looper
Eagleville, TN
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Mary and family, how sad we were to hear of Tom's home going. You both are so special to us and our memories with you in Kingsport are dear and delightful. Our prayers will be ongoing. Know you are loved.

Paul and Jody Gerchak
Cashiers, NC
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Tom, Sr’s legacy will continue on throughout eternity. He was a true servant who personified character and integrity.
Our lives have been so blessed to have known him.His life has and will continue to have a far reaching impact on our community. He will be dearly missed.

Carrie Brown
, NC
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Dad was loved by so many and influential in more lives than he could imagine. He will be missed terribly. Knowing he is perfect and living with his Heavenly Father, let those who love him have peace.

Lee Banks
West Chester, OH
Liked
Friday, January 15, 2021

Best Dad you could ever imagine. We are going to miss him terribly.