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Martha Banks King She served her God and the First Methodist Church well as Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent of Elemen- tary Sunday School, Chair- man of Commission on Edu- cation and president of Susanna Wesley Service Guild. After her retirement from teaching, she organized retired teachers to teach ba- sic skills (reading, math, etc.) to inmates of the county jail, many of whom were illiter- ate. In 1979, she received the great honor of having the beautiful new MARTHA B. p.2 P.3 P.3
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Martha Banks King
Martha Belle Banks was
born January 30, 1900 in
the family home built by
her grandfather on New
Hope Road, Franklin
County (now Stephens
County), Georgia. She
died in Bradenton, Mana-
tee County, Florida, Janu-
ary 8, 1985, and is buried
in the family plot in Mana-
sota Cemetery, Oneco,
Florida. She graduated
from Cannon’s Academy
near her home, then
graduated from Georgia
State Normal School in
Athens before beginning
her teaching career in
Banks County, Georgia in
1920. There she met and
married Bartow England
King, who had recently
returned from Army duty
in France during WWI.
Their first child, Mary
Lou, was born in Mt. Airy,
Habersham County, Geor-
gia in 1922. The family
moved to Manatee
County, Florida in 1924.
Martha had a distin-
guished career in teaching
and community service in
Manatee County. She
served as classroom
teacher in five schools and
principal in two. She was
elected to membership in
Delta Kappa Gamma,
honorary society for out-
s t a n d i n g
teachers, and
also served as
i ts state
p r e s i d e n t .
She was char-
ter member
and president
of Manatee
County Busi-
ness and Pro-
f e s s i o n a l
Women’s As-
s o c i a t i o n .
T h ro u gh ou t
WWII, she
served as
president of
M a n a t e e
County Chap-
ter of the
American Red
Cross. At that
time, there was no paid staff,
so it was her responsibility to
manage disaster relief dur-
ing hurricanes, to communi-
cate between service men
and their families, to conduct
fun-raising and other func-
tions of Red Cross. For this,
she received a citation from
President Truman. She
served on and was secretary
of the committee that estab-
lished Manatee Veterans’
Memorial Hospital, the first
modern hospital in the area.
She was a member of the
Manatee County Fair Board,
Eastern Star, DAR, Ameri-
can Legion Auxiliary, and
served as state president of
Legion Auxiliary.
During the summers of 1937
through 1940, she enrolled in
Florida Southern College,
Lakeland, Florida, where she
graduated in 1940.
She served her God and the
First Methodist Church well
as Sunday School Teacher,
Superintendent of Elemen-
tary Sunday School, Chair-
man of Commission on Edu-
cation and president of
Susanna Wesley Service
Guild. After her retirement
from teaching, she organized
retired teachers to teach ba-
sic skills (reading, math, etc.)
to inmates of the county jail,
many of whom were illiter-
ate. In 1979, she received the
great honor of having the
beautiful new MARTHA B.
Inside this issue:
Cemetery Clean-up
On Hallowed Ground
p.2
In Memoriam
Russell Marion Banks, Jr. P.3
Rev. Rebecca Dixon
receives award for excellence
P.3
July wedding for
Seth Byrum and fiancée, Brandi Skipper
P.3
Matthew Banbury
to study in Tokyo P.3
Diane & David Leonard
Reunion photos!
P.3
P.4
BANKS Winter-Spring ISSUE
2006
Celebrating a Humanitarian — Martha Banks King Martha Banks King
K I N G M I D D L E
SCHOOL named in her
honor in recognition of
her many contributions
for the betterment of her
community. Recently, the
existing campus of more
than 113,000 square feet
was demolished to make
room for the brand new
facility on 17 acres.
Just this month, Bob and
Susan King attended a
fundraiser for the new
media center. Bob says
the construction looks
great, and should be
ready for occupancy this
June!
Martha Belle (King)
and sister,
Alice (Terrell) Banks.
.)
ON HALLOWED GROUND ON HALLOWED GROUND ON HALLOWED GROUND Donna Dodd
The old gate grunts when opening, as if awakened from a long, deep sleep. The ground is hard, the rocks
damp and covered with moss – some brown and dying, some new, bright green growth standing tall,
reaching for the sun.
Shovels, picks and rakes lean against the fence like an arsenal of rifles in a John Wayne movie. One by
one, we each retrieve our weapon of choice – or either our choice of the least-favorite ones left behind.
Gloves are donned, and the smell of gasoline chokes freely from the weed eater. Interestingly, for a mo-
ment, it seems somewhat impolite to be invading the natural habitat of insects and plant-life feeding on
our family’s sacred ground. I even question myself - to whom does this belong?
There are times — many times during this day — that we pause to honor a headstone or discuss a type of
foliage. And, Thomas Dixon often takes us back in time - reflecting some of the colorful family stories
he’s heard since a child.
The thrill of reuniting with relatives seems to overshadow everything else. Then, just like a roller-coaster
slowing down to a crawl, the excitement begins to calm. I finally catch my breath, double-checking to
make sure no one is aware of my special request . . . And I ask God to let me feel my Daddy.
A gentle warmth comes over me, and I am profoundly aware of Daddy, of Uncle Verner, of Tom Banks
and other loved ones who, too, had stood right here, wiped their brows after a long day’s work – and who
perhaps even sat on the same logs to share a bite to eat.
Each year, our loved ones make the journey. Some do not return; and just as before, younger, smoother
hands reach out to toil the same earth.
They, too, will no-doubt agree, ―it is an extraordinary experience!‖
As far back as I can remember, cemetery cleanup was the yearly ritual that took place the day before
Sunday’s Family Reunion of our Thomas Marion Banks descendents. Daddy was so proud when our
brother, Billy began joining in the ceremonious rite. If I ever went along with Daddy, I don’t remem-
ber it – but I always wondered why Daddy seemed so blessed by the experience. Diane and I have
taken part in the cemetery cleanup for the past two years. Now, we understand.
Winter-Spring, 2006 Page 2
Inside Story Headline
.
thority to develop Wilmington’s
first housing program for homeless
victims of domestic violence.
She is a chaplain associate for New
Hanover Regional Medical Center,
serving as chair of the Professional
Consultation Committee for the
Clinical Pastoral Education Program
at the hospital, and is liturgical as-
sistant on the staff of Church of the
Servant (Episcopal). Rev. Dixon,
who was ordained to the Gospel
Ministry by the First Baptist church
of Lavonia, is a graduate of Truett-
McConnell College in Cleveland,
University of Georgia at Athens,
Southern Baptist Theological Semi-
nary in Louisville, KY, and Virginia
Theological Seminary in Alexan-
dria, Virginia.
She is the daughter of
Thomas and Ginger Dixon of
Lavonia.
December 14, 2005— Article from
the Anderson Independent
Aunt Viola
Seth Byrum, youngest son of Bruce
and Jane Byrum, graduated from
Texas A&M University on 16 De-
cember and was commissioned a
Second Lieutenant in the
U.S. Marine Corps. He began USMC
training in Quantico, Virginia on 5
January. Seth is engaged to Ms.
Brandi Skipper from Waxahatchie,
Texas and they are planning on a
July wedding.
Uncle John
Matthew Banbury, a sophomore
at UNC-Charlotte, will fly to Japan
in March to begin a year of studies at
the University of Tokyo. In addition
to his own studies, he will teach a
class in English to Japanese stu-
dents. Sayonara Matthew.
Aunt Bertie
Dixon receives award for
excellence . . .
The Rev. Rebecca Dixon, a 1978
graduate of Franklin County High
School, was the recipient of the
2005 Sandra Wells Peterson Profes-
sional Advocate Award for Excel-
lence from the North Carolina Inter-
agency Council for Homeless
Programs. Mayor Spence Broad-
hurst of Wilmington, N.C., com-
mended her for ―a 15-year track
record as a spokesperson for home-
less families, individuals, and her
work and leadership with Tri-
County Homeless Interagency
Council since its inception in 1992.
Because of her efforts, the council
and its grant writing process is con-
sidered by the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development to
be a model for other jurisdictions.
As a mentor, she has helped agen-
cies such as Coastal Horizons and
first Fruit Ministries become valu-
able, sustained organizations. After
serving as Executive Director for
Good Shepherd Ministries in the
early 90’s, she worked with Volun-
teers of America of the Carolinas
and the Wilmington Housing Au-
Winter-Spring, 2006 Page 3
Rev. Rebecca Dixon
Every year our reunions bring me closer to our roots and I gain a little more insight and love for our particular ―branch.‖ I espe-
cially love hearing what David (hubby) observes and brings home to share. Here are some of our personal thoughts and memories
of
October 2005:
Our generation has a ―Tom Banks!‖ Tom and Peggy’s son Chris is like a shining light. He seems to be the perfect combi-
nation of his mother and daddy – funny, outgoing, game for anything, and personable, kind, and engaging.
Lanny and Sandy’s grandson Brendon. David thought he was the perfect picture of a little boy, as evidenced by the number
of pictures he took of him in action – running so hard that his hair was sticking straight up – that big smile, and his face full of
freckles. He appears to have stepped right out of a Norman Rockwell painting.
Rusty and Karen’s son, Chris. David noticed how much of a gentleman he was when Colleen arrived. He was the first one
over to help her out of the car and insisted on carrying her dishes of food. He was so kind, polite, and respectful. Obviously
raised right – and now has a wonderful family of his own.
Elaine and Charles’ granddaughter - La’el. Her wings just keep showing!! What can you say?
Cousin Eddie. I loved telling him about my memories of his sisters, Linda, Karen and Judy. Every time we went to see them,
we would beg them to play the piano and sing something, which they so graciously did. My favorite was ―Two Little Chil-
dren,‖ and I can hear them right now – Linda on piano and Karen and Judy singing. I remember the emphasis Judy always put
on the phrase ―the little girl’s feet were as BROWN AS the curls…‖ Mama Banks had a picture in her living room of an angel
watching over a little boy and girl as they walked across a broken bridge. I always thought that song was about them. ■
In Memoriam
Russell Marion Banks, Jr., died
Tuesday, January 10, 2006. A
Wake was held Friday evening,
followed by the Funeral Mass at
St. Francis Xavier Church, Satur-
day, in Birmingham, Alabama..
Our condolences to Margaret and
her family. Although Russell was
ill, and could not make the trip in
October, we were so blessed to
have had Margaret at our 2005
Banks reunion.
Banks News/Announcements
David and Diane (Banks) Leonard
I’d like to thank all who contributed to this edition! Our next newsletter is scheduled for publication
in July. We welcome your news, announcements, recipes, stories, and story ideas! For anyone want-
ing personal copies of our special presentation—Banks video, I will have copies available at the
2006 October reunion—Also, welcome back Shelley Anderson!! Cousin Donna
You may send your SCOOP to me, Donna Dodd at:
134 N. Lakeside Drive
Kennesaw, GA 30144
Or you may email me at [email protected], or contact me by phone - 770-421-1122
Got Some Banks
Scoop??
Winter-Spring, 2006 Page 4