Reverend Otis Banks, Sr.

On May 11, 1941, in Travis County, Texas, our Lord in Heaven blessed the world with the birth of Reverend Otis Lee Banks, Sr., a lifetime resident of Texas.  Reverend Banks was born to the union of Minnie Lee and Algie Banks. He attended the public schools in Manor School District. At the age of nine, Otis Lee accepted Christ and was baptized at Park Springs Baptist Church, in Manor, Texas.

Otis Lee worked as supervisor of Maintenance at Brackenridge Hospital, and Wal-Mart for a season. He explored the medical field, and became a certified nurse assistant, which his clients loved him dearly. As he journeyed in life, Otis went into landscaping and gardening and opened his own business called Bank’s Sharpening Shop & More. Noting there was a need for sharpening blades. He enjoyed watching the early sunrise and the evening sunsets, always with his dog, Charlie, at his feet and his wife sitting nearby.  Enjoying the small things in life, Otis was a family man and enjoyed being around all his children and grandchildren.

Otis Lee was a faithful member at Zion Hill Baptist Church, working with many auxiliaries and supporting the church and pastor.  In the early nineties, Otis Lee accepted the call by the Lord to preach the Gospel and become a maintenance supervisor over people’s souls.  He enjoyed singing and always encouraging one for the betterment of life and understanding God’s word.

Otis Lee shared his life, love and legacy with current wife, Lovie Mae Williams, the late Lizzie Mae Hall for twenty-nine years, Marietta Banks and Carla Banks and their respective children.

On February 9, 2017, Reverend Banks united in Holy Matrimony to Lovie Mae Jones and moved to Elgin.  They combined their families and made many special memories, including a family overnight camp out. The combined family became his daily motivation.

“… absent from the body, and present with the Lord.”

Reverend Banks went to spend his eternal life with our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ on Thursday, May11th with his loving wife, whom he called Baby at his bedside. Reverend Banks was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Eddie Lee Banks, Nathaniel Banks, and a sister, Rosie Lee Shelby.

Reverend Banks, priceless legacy will forever be cherished in the lives of his wife of six years, Lovie Banks, one son, Otis Lee Jr (Marilyn); six daughters, Paula Kirkland, Shanda K. McArthur, Sonita NeSmith (Michael), Delicia Walker (Rod), Angela Williams, and Donna Fitzgerald (Bobby); multiple Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren covering four generations, three brothers, Hilment Banks (Ida), Reverend Darnell Banks (Pauline) and Alvin Banks, his best friend, Reverend L. E. Odom, and a host of other relatives and friends, including two God-Children, Angela Edwards and Robin Miller that he loved dearly...

Reverend Otis Lee Banks, Sr., 82, of Elgin, passed away surrounded by his family on Wednesday morning, May 17, 2023.  Family and friends will gather for a Visitation, Friday, May 26th at Elgin Funeral Home from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.  A Home Going Celebration will be held on Saturday, May 27th at Elgin Funeral Home at 11:00 AM with Pastor Lee Yarborough delivering the Eulogy.  Interment will follow at Cook Walden Capital Parks at 1:00 PM.