Linda Banks

Dedicated mother, wife, grandmother and friend. She passed into God’s hands on June 18th, 2014 after an 11 year battle with multiple melanomas. She was born July 24th 1949 to Mary and Arthur Sims. She is preceded in death by her parents, (Mary and Arthur Sims) sisters, Mary and Alline; brothers, Dan, Edward, Erskin and Howard; and niece, Lorraine; also known as “mother”. She left behind her husband, Leroy; her 3 Children, Maurice, Ina, and Brian; their spouses (Dorothy, Jonathan, and Chata); 28 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; her sisters Annie and Dorothy; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was baptized in the Catholic Church at a young age and even attended a Catholic grammar school. One of her first jobs was a company called 3M in Chicago, II. Here is where she met her loving husband Leroy of 30 years; she lived in Chicago until 1979 when she moved her family to Evanston, II. There she furthered her education attending Kendall College studying business. She made a career as a parking enforcement officer at the City of Evanston where she worked for over 20 years.

After raising her own 3 children she then took on the responsibility of raising 4 more grandchildren. She is our hero, our miracle, and our motivation. And she is already missed beyond measures. After retiring from the city of Evanston she moved to Des Moines where she embarked on a new journey. She started her own business and even her own daycare; she was very outgoing, trustworthy, and full of life. She loved to read, (Harry Potter books especially). She loved to travel and as her oldest grandchild I had the luxury of traveling the world with her.
These are memories that Ill hold close to my heart forever. She loved to cook, watch young and the restless and paint her nails. Some of her favorite foods were Briansmac and cheese, my spaghetti, my mom’s famous lasagna, and how could I forget auntie’s sweet potato pies.

As we say goodbye to my grandmother, this phenomenal woman, I want to remind everyone that her soul lives on through all of us. She always kept her head held high and she would want us to do the same. REST IN PARADISE TO OUR QUEEN.

Family will begin greeting friends at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Elim Christian Church, 525 East 9th Street, Des Moines, with funeral to start at 1:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

Condolences may be expressed at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

Print