NEWPORT NEWS - James Lee Banks of the 400 block of Turlington Road, Newport News, entered into eternal rest and peace on Saturday, November 23, 2007 at the James River Convalescent Center. He was born in Southampton County on June 8, 1955 and was son of the late Robert Lee Banks, Sr. and Vernell Edwards Banks.

James attended Southampton High School. He was employed at Newport News Shipbuilding Company for 15 years. He was a member of Beulah Land AME Zion Church, Ivor, where he sang in the choir.

He leaves to cherish precious memories, his wife, Bernice Banks of Franklin; five daughters, Teresa Banks of Franklin, Shantall Williams of Newport News, Janice Anderson, Stacey Anderson, and Keyana Howard, all of Washington, DC; two sons, Bryan Banks of South Carolina and James D. Banks of Newport News; three sisters, Louise Dennis of Newport News, Mary Banks, and Virginia Banks, both of Williamsburg; one brother, Robert Banks, Jr. of Germany; seven grandchildren; four aunts, Ruth Edwards, Gracie Byrd (Lloyd), Ella Mae Warren, and Mildred Banks; and nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Crocker Funeral Home, 900 E. Washington Street, Suffolk, by the Rev. Joseph W. Whitney, Jr. Interment will be in the Edwards Family Cemetery, Ivor.