Virginia "Ginny" (Atkins) Banks

Virginia (Ginny) Atkins Banks completed her remarkable earthly journey and went to join Bill, the joy and love of her life, on Tuesday, April 26th, 2022. Born in the Pensacola community on September 23rd, 1924, to the late Thomas Monroe Atkins and Bertha Haynie Atkins. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, William A. Banks; brothers: Edgar E. Atkins, Thomas E. Atkins, James M. Atkins; and sister, Edna Atkins Airheart.

Mrs. Banks was educated in her early years in the Pensacola community, followed by graduation from Burnsville High School. She attended Appalachian State Teacher’s College and then relocated to Long Beach, California where she worked at an Army Airforce In-Transit Depot loading airplane engines with an electric crane. She concurrently attended modeling school at the Robert Edwards School of Professional Modeling. Following graduation after two years with a focus in fashion and photographic modeling, she modeled for a post war airplane (the Ensign) ad that was used in 52 aircraft magazines. She modeled in multiple fashion shows in Hollywood and the Long Beach area and was offered a job as a buyer and model at an exclusive ladies’ boutique, Renee’s, in Los Angeles. She chose to return to North Carolina where she married Bill Banks on November 10th, 1946.

With the remainder of her life spent in Burnsville, Mrs. Banks was very active in business and community endeavors. From her passion to see everyone learn to swim, she and Bill opened Crestview Playground in 1958. This was the only pool in three counties and Mrs. Banks taught hundreds of children and adults to swim. A female entrepreneur well beyond her time and utilizing her background in fashion, she opened the Ginny-Lisa Shop, featuring ladies and juniors clothing, which she operated from 1964-1989. She served as the Water Safety Chairperson for Yancey County with the American Red Cross and also served on the Yancey/Mitchell Red Cross Board. She was a member of the Yancey County Hospice Board and the Women’s Club of Burnsville, serving as its President from 1949-1951. A devoted member of First Baptist Church, Burnsville, she served on multiple committees and led various initiatives throughout the years. She is perhaps best described as a genuinely gracious southern lady who devoted her life to her family and improving the well-being of her community and all those whom she encountered.

Mrs. Banks is survived by her two children who loved her deeply: son William R. (Randy) Banks and wife, Jeani, of Burnsville and daughter, Sheree Banks Watson and husband, Mike, of Hickory, NC. She was “Babby” to her three grandchildren, and they were her pride and joy! Michael R. Watson II and wife, Emily, of Atlanta, GA, Lyndsay Banks Williams and husband, Darin, of Swansea, IL and William Mitchell Banks of Phoenix, Arizona; her great grandson, Brayden Richard Williams, would have been joy personified had she been able to know him! She is also survived by her cherished brother, Morris D. Atkins and wife, Cecilia, and their children/grandchildren, of Greenville, SC; and her treasured sister-in-law, Betty Ann Young and husband, Earl, of Burnsville. She was blessed with many close friends, extended family and church family who stayed close in presence, support and spirit throughout her later years and declining health.

A service of celebration will be held Saturday, May 7th at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church in Burnsville and will be officiated by the Reverends Lyndsay Williams and Tommy James. The family will begin to receive friends in the sanctuary of the church  at 1:30 p.m. until 2:45 p.m.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to caregivers Sharon Pendley, Shannon Robertson, Christy Pendley and Rhonda Johnson for their love and dedication to the comfort and excellent in-home care of Mrs. Banks.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in memory of Virginia A. Banks to First Baptist Church at 51 Town Square, Burnsville, NC 28714 and/or Compassionate Care Western North Carolina at 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714. She served both these organizations well during her life and they loved and cared for her through her final days.

Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Banks family.

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