Izella Banks 1926-2021
YOUNGSTOWN — Mrs. Izella Banks, 94, fell asleep in death Monday, Jan. 4, 2021, while under hospice care at Canfield Healthcare Center.
She was born Aug. 9, 1926, in Talbot County, Ga., a daughter of Harry and Amanda Malone Boynton.
Izella wed Willie Banks in 1950 and they moved from Georgia to Youngstown in 1956. She assisted her husband in caring for their family by working secularly as a domestic housekeeper for several years, and also worked as a cook in various restaurants in the Youngstown area until she was able to retire. Notable restaurants included the Town Diner that was located right downtown, the MVR restaurant on Walnut Street, and Morgan’s restaurant that used to be in Liberty.
Izella was short in stature, being about 4′ 11″, but proved to be a big-hearted individual who was very industrious and very meticulous in the way she maintained the family home. She was a wonderful wife to her husband and a devoted mother to her children.
Izella was an excellent cook and a very hospitable person. She didn’t care for venturing too far from home, but she truly enjoyed the company of those who visited her and would go out of her way to make you feel welcome. She had a deep respect for God’s word, the Bible, and was very supportive of her children when they studied the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and progressed to the point of dedication and baptism, even though she never studied long enough to reach that goal herself.
Mrs. Banks leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Andrew (Clate), Louis (Rebecca) and Earnest Banks; one daughter, Willie Pearl Giddens (Eugene), with whom she resided during the latter portion of her life; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Izella was preceeded in death by her husband, Willie Banks; parents, Harry and Amanda Boynton; two brothers, Homer and Robert Boynton; four sisters, Smithie Lou Bunkley, Rochelle Kimbrough, Alberta Chambers and Dorothy Kinbrough; and one grandson, Bruce Banks. She will be dearly missed by all who came to know and love her.
Arrangements entrusted to the L. E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home.
(special notice)