Charles (Charlie) Clifford Banks Jr. of Kernersville, North Carolina passed away September 3, 2016. He was born January 4, 1944 to Charles Clifford Banks and Naomi Divers Banks in Perquimans County, North Carolina. He was a graduate of Perquimans County High School and Mars Hill College. Charlie was retired from the R. J. Reynolds Company headquartered in Winston Salem.
Charlie is survived by his wife, Lee Ann Lambrecht Banks, a son, Charles (Chip) Banks III (wife Kim) and a grandson Henry. He is also survived by three sisters, Margaret Ann (Gene) Denison and Brenda B. (Kent) White both of Hertford, North Carolina and Linda L. Banks of Edenton, North Carolina. He was preceded in death by both of his parents.
Charlie was a spirited man and was known for telling jokes and spinning yarns. His amusing stories often ended with great belly laughs. His warm and personable nature endeared many to him and he was especially fond of his many friendships. His childhood friends from Hertford: Riley Williams, Alton Daniels, and Franklin McGoogan were especially prized. He developed long lasting friendships in the Winston Salem/Kernersville communities with Al Miller, Jerry Pass, Raymond Bergeron, Mike Witcher, and special neighbor, Flora Manning. Many a meal began with the toast, “There are good ships and wood ships, and ships that sail the sea…..but, the best ships are friendships, may they forever be.”
He loved to travel. He enjoyed trips to Michigan and a recent trip to Ireland with his wife and friends, Ed and Mary Horton, was especially memorable.
He enjoyed golfing with his St. Timothy’s friends in Winston and played bridge at the Kernersville Y and Senior Center. He and his wife, Lee Ann, shared many common interests; particularly they shared a love of sports and followed Wake Forest and University of Michigan sports along with the Carolina Panthers. Charlie loved the beach – especially Emerald Isle and enjoyed many trips to his hometown, Hertford, North Carolina where he and brother-in-law Gene Denison would engage in many in depth conversations. Besides playing golf and bridge he loved to fish and was designated head cook for the catches he and his friends brought in. He also was especially fond of his dog, Bones, a rescue dog that brought many hours of joy to both him and his wife Lee Ann.
According to his wishes, cremation has taken place and there will be no services. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kernersville Senior Center division of The Shepherd’s Center, PO Box 2044, Kernersville, NC 27285.
