Tena Banks

The Life of

TENA MELISSA BANKS

Tena Melissa Banks was born on October 31, 1935 in Seneca, South Carolina, to the late McKinley and Katie Reid.

Tena attended the Oconee County School system and would eventually get her GED later in life. She would often reflect on her memories as a young girl, growing up with her eleven brothers and sisters. One story from her childhood she was often asked to repeat was the accident resulting in her missing a fingertip. This story would never seem to get old. Although she had a very modest upbringing, Tena always spoke positively about her time as a young girl. She and her siblings were taught lessons in resiliency, resourcefulness, and self-sufficiency, which would stay with Tena her entire life.

Tena would eventually leave South Carolina and move to Trenton, New Jersey, where she met the love of her life, Robert Banks. On April 4, 1959, the two would marry and start their family. Robert's time in the United States Air Force, would take Tena and the family overseas – from Germany, to England, Okinawa and Thailand. The family would eventually settle in Colorado where Tena would find work as a bookkeeper with Fashion Bar, a local retail company. She would retire from Fashion Bar after devoting 25 years to the company.

Tena was an amazing woman and took her role as the matriarch of the family whole heartedly. She was the mother to seven, grandmother to eleven, and great-grandmother to five. There was not much that her children and grandchildren did not come to her for – she was the family hair stylist, all she needed was the grease, and a hot comb. In addition, she was the always reliable baby-sitter, the chauffeur (gas money not required), the self-taught seamstress, and the nurse (there was nothing "a day home with Grandma" couldn't cure). Most note-worthy were the delicious homecooked meals that she would make from scratch and without measurements, no less. You name it, she could do it. And she was happy to do it all, as long as it did not interfere with her soap operas and crossword puzzles.

Tena was a devoted Christian and attended Lowry Community Christian Church faithfully for over ten years. Her religious style truly matched what seemed to be her personal mantra – lead quietly by example, never judge but be there to help others if they fall. Anyone that knows Tena, knows that she was the epitome of love, understanding and patience. She will be greatly missed by so many and never forgotten.

Tena was called home to Glory at the age of 86 years old, comfortably in her home surrounded by the love of her family. She was proceeded in death by her husband, Robert Banks; her son, Michael Reid; her parents, McKinley & Katie Reid; her brothers, Charles Reid, McKinley Reid & Paul Reid; her sisters, Birdie Mae Beal, Helen Lee, Catherine Allen, & Grace Henderson. She leaves to cherish her memory, her sisters, Hattie Reid, Lillie Reid, Mildred Carson (Marion) and Pearl Gibbs; her daughters, Deborah January, Carolyn Keliiholokai (Stephen) and Cheryl Banks; her sons, Harold Reid, David Banks, and Gregory Banks; her grandchildren, Romel (Jose), Toya (Art), Stephanie, Andrea (Allen), Aaron, Lameisha, Patrick, Gabrielle, Ian, Maikala and Tyreke; her great-grandchildren, Ajayce, Aubrey, Jayana, James and Nehemiah; and a host of family & friends.