Pearlie Mae Banks

Pearlie Mae White Banks, age 88, a resident of Columbia, passed away Tuesday, December 21, 2021, at her residence.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at 11:00 AM at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in the Annex Building with Pastor Kenny Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in Pinecrest Memorial Gardens. A visitation will also be held on Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the church. The body will lie in state on Tuesday, December 28, 2021, from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the funeral home. The family requests that anyone who wishes to attend the services, please wear a mask. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Pearlie was born on April 9, 1933, in Ozan, Arkansas and was the daughter of the late Sam & Mary Bell White. She attended school for a short while in Arkansas as a child. In February of 1951, Pearlie married an amazing man, Willie James Banks Jr., and together they raised five children. She accepted Christ at a young age and was a member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. She retired from Ford Motor Company in Cleveland, Ohio. Pearlie lived a long and joyous life that revolved around her children and grandchildren.

She leaves behind to mourn her five children, Bettie Smith of Cleveland, OH, Willie (Anita) Banks of Flint, MI, Charles (Maria) Banks of Cleveland, OH, Sabrina (Budric, Sr.) Powell of Cleveland, OH, and Shana (Richard) Rhodes of Columbia, TN, twenty-two grandchildren, fifty-six great grandchildren, and sixteen great great grandchildren. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. A special thank you to her niece, Louise (Trixie) Jordan, who was raised as one of Pearl’s sisters.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Jethro White, Florene McDonald, Major White, Elbert White, Pete White, Christine Underwood, Irene Scroggins, grandchild, William Charles Bell, great grandchildren, Joshua Banks, Amina Whitson, Amari Whitson, special niece/sister, Mary Brown, special nephew/son, Artist Clay.

Pallbearers will be Hiran Simpson, Hassan Ziyad, Kevin Graves, Richard Rhodes, Sr., Frederick Roberts, and Branden Rhodes. Honorary pallbearers will include Charles Banks, Willie Banks, Michael Banks, Buric Powell, Sr., James Powell, Sr., and Budric Powell, Jr. Flower girls will be Amanda Whitson, Ebonie Jordan, Samyah Powell, Latonya Green, Cuz K, and Samir Powell.