Essie M. Banks passed away January 22, 2020.

Essie Mae Banks, affectionately known as “Bright Eyes”, was born on March 5, 1932 in Cuba, Alabama to the late Robert and Estell Taylor. She closed those “bright eyes” on January 22, 2020.

Essie moved to Akron, Ohio at an early age, where she attended Akron Public Schools.  She fell in love with and married Lee Banks in 1980.  She held several jobs, retiring from the Catholic Senior Services Center.  She was also a licensed Cosmetologist.

She was a member of the Order of The Eastern Star – Phoenix Chapter #96.  She was also a member of The Higher Ground Worship Center, where she was a “mother” of the church.  She loved the Cleveland Indians, fishing, shopping and spending quality time with family and her beloved dog, “Fluffy.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, five siblings and four children.

She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Emma Benson and Ramona Mitchell; sons, Tony Taylor and Tyrone Keith; one brother, Robert Taylor; grandsons, Timothy (Breesha), Kenneth (Theresa), Robert, James, Tony Jr., Shajuan, Leland, Lamar, Bryan; Lionel, Tramayne, Freddie Jr. and Shaun; one granddaughter, Towanda (Freddie); thirty-eight great grandchildren; fourteen great-great grandchildren; special friends, Dorothy Garrett, Delois Colbert and Rita Ingram and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.