Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, Ms. Gloria Jean Banks, 80, peacefully transitioned to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Affectionately known by friends and family as Momma, Grandmother, Dah-Dah, Glo, Glo-Dawg, Glo-Worm was a devoted sister, mother, aunt, cousin and friend.

She was born on August 06, 1940 in Mount Hope, West Virginia to the late Lawrence and Maggie Price Banks.

Gloria was a 1958 graduate of Mount Hope High School. After graduation she married William E. Jones, and became a devoted Air Force wife traveling and living in several states and abroad. Gloria and “her girls” returned to West Virginia after living in San Antonio, Texas. Once back “home” she worked at Montgomery Wards in the shoe department where the employees were referred to as “Show Dogs” thus being then referred to as “Glo Dawg’ by the family. She also spent some time working at K-Mart. Her greatest job was that of being the stand-in mother of her two grandchildren - “Chony”.

Gloria was baptised at an early age at First Union Baptist Church of Mount Hope. She was a dedicated member of United Missionary Baptist Church where she served on both the usher and missionary boards. She also worked tirelessly as part of the Hospitality Committee. She was often called upon to bake one of her mouth-watering pound cakes.

Gloria especially loved the holidays. She would festively decorate the house inside and out. She wanted everything picture perfect even though she seldom stood still long enough to be in a picture. When the camera came out she ran for the hills. She also loved to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. During the holidays she was often called upon to make a lemon meringue pie or two. Gloria also could be found working on the bi-annual Dubois High School Reunion. There she served as Co-Chairperson. In her final appearance as Co-Chairperson she said, “We wish you happiness, have a good time and leave with awesome memories of being back home.”

Gloria is now HOME and leaves us all with a wealth of memories.Gloria is preceded in death by her parents Charles Lawrence Banks and Maggie Louise Price Banks, sister, Mrs. Lois Raye Warren, and brothers - James (Jimmy) Banks, Sr.,Wilbur (Billy) Banks, Lawrence (Lonnie) Banks and Leon Trigg.

Left to cherish her memories are her two daughters: Connie Jones of Waldorf, MD and Angela (Barry) Jones Mills of San Antonio, TX; sisters: Carolyn Banks and Emily Rickman, both from Xenia, OH and Sarah (James) Lang - Columbus, GA; brothers: Dennis Bank and Edward Banks, both from Columbus, OH; grandchildren: Charity Jones (James), Charles (Allison) Jones, Nicholas Loukas, Don’Elle Ray, Brittany Ray, Lamoya (Marcus) Tate, Kele Mills, Marquez Mills and Brandon (Kirsten) Mills; great-grandchildren - Cayla Jones, Regin Jones, Trinity Jones, Sareneti Jones, Malakai Jones, Maliyah Jones, Kiley Shrewsbury, Jakari White, Javonte Loukas, Javonnie Loukas, Jakai Loukas, Eli Bradford, Noah Tate, Santana Jones, Na’vi Tate, Zane Mills, Elana Mills and Omari Mills; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral service will be 12:00Noon Friday, July 30, 2021 at United Missionary Baptist Church 205 S. Fayette Ave., Mt. Hope, WV with Dr. Jerry Staples officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Friends, while wearing gloves and masks and observing social distancing, may view one hour prior to the service.

Email condolences to ritchie-johnson@suddenlinkmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.