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OBITUARY
Estella Leona Banks, a native of Brookhaven, Mississippi was born on April 3, 1930. Her parents Clara Robinson and Eddie Banks gave her this name Estella meaning “Star”. Estella was the fifth child in a family of thirteen children (4 sisters and 8 brothers).
Estella graduated from Alexander High School in 1948 and as a part of The Great Migration from the south, moved to Chicago. She aspired to pursue a career as a Nurse. She later met and married Willie B. Richardson and from this union three children were born: Willie, Edrina and Jerome.
Estella was a very dedicated stay at home mother making sure that she cooked every day and that her family had dinner ready when they got home. In 1964, Estella entered the workforce at Spiegel where she worked as E.O.W. operator until1973. In 1978, Estella began working as a custodian for the Board of Education. She bade a fond farewell to her friends and co-workers at Funston Elementary School in 1995, many of whom had become her extended family.
Estella was baptized in Brookhaven, Mississippi on South 51 Highway at Bethel A.M.E Church as a young girl. Estella served the Lord through her membership at St. James A.M.E. Church as a Cell Leader and through her involvement with the Senior Ministry.
Estella was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star for 35 years. Over the years she served in many positions. She was a Marshall, Trustee, Conductress, Secretary, Associate Worthy Matron and Honorary Worthy Matron. The position she enjoyed the most was that of Secretary, which she served for 8 years.
Estella, blessed by the Lord our father, connected six generation from the Tree of Life through Butler & Sweetie Paxton Banks and Andrew J. Robinson & Stella Scott Robinson.
She is preceded in death by her husband, parents, a son Jerome Anthony, three brothers Sam Banks, Andrew Washington, Robert A. Johnson, and three sisters Bertha Gaines Banks, Mae Robinson Brown and Monzola Banks.
Estella departed this life on Monday, February 4, 2019 at 8:03 p.m. She leaves to cherish memories and celebrate her life: son Willie Richardson (Michelle), daughter Edrina Richardson, four grandchildren, Dwight Richardson, Kayelyn Taylor (Aldarian), William Richardson and Porscha Johnson; two great-grandchildren Damarion Richardson, Caleb Taylor. One sister Velma Ford, Chicago, IL; five brothers Willie Lee Banks, Wilmington, DE, Emile Banks (Rose), Chicago IL, Fred Banks (Charlene), Wesson, MS, Versie Clark (Chandra), Chicago IL, and Charles Clark, Hattiesburg, MS; two brother-in- laws Odell Richardson and Olian Richardson (Betty), Chicago IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, Sisters of Poole Chapter #18 Order of the Eastern Star, and the St. James A.M.E Church Family and Friends.
ESTELLA WILL TRULY BE MISSED!
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