Phadra Banks

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

~Matthew 5:5,8~

Meekness is the substance of a pure heart that lives in reverence to God with respect for others. The fruit of meekness demonstrated through the purity of one's heart reflects one's conclusion that the greatest Life they will ever experience is the one that has no end.

Such is the Life of Phadra L. Banks. The Life she possesses beyond the shores of this earthly realm is the Life she resolved to embrace when she accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.

She was born to the parental stewardship of Erma and Andrew Banks on December 19, 1975, at Fort Hood, Texas.

Phadra spent her formal years of Education in the Killeen Independent School District, where she graduated from Ellison High School in 1994.

She was reared in the fear and admonition of the Lord and inspired to receive Christ as her personal Savior at Marlboro Heights Missionary Baptist Church. She would follow Christ as Lord after being baptized by the late Reverend R. A. Abercrombie. Her quest to grow and mature along the path of Christian Discipleship would involve her participation in several ministries not limited to Music Ministry in the Jr. Choir and Young Adult Choir, Christian Education through GA’s, YWA’s, drill team, VBS, and of course, Children’s Ministry in the Nursery for over 28 years.

Phadra's passion for living aligned with everything she perceived to be consistent with her God-given purpose. This is evidenced by the special interest she took in Education. She viewed Education as an invaluable tool for personal development. As such, she submitted herself to the discipline of gaining higher Education so that she could make deposits into the development of others’ lives.

While attending Central Texas College, the beauty of her love and the burden of passion for helping to educate children was born. Her quest to educate children began as a substitute teacher in several schools throughout the Killeen Independent School District until she secured a permanent position at Hay Branch Elementary School. Here, she would devote 17 years of her Life to educating children.

Her passion beyond the church was a reflection of her devotion to ministry within the church. Phadra’s decision to serve the Lord was a testament to His Glory. She always shied away from becoming the focus of attention. Instead, she preferred to serve the Lord, assuring that meeting the needs of others remained the delight and devotion of her heart. She took pleasure in serving the Lord by pouring the substance of her very soul into children up until her health began to decline.

The light of her Life next to Jesus was her son, who bore the sunshine of Joy in her heart. She made no secret of the godly pride she embraced that was clothed in the blessing of being his mother. She found contentment in knowing the Lord who gave him Life through her would complete the work He began in him through her love and labor.

Phadra’s knowledge of her Promise Keeping God shaped her anticipation for the day He would gently beckon for her soul to enter His eternal Presence. Her persuasion of living to reside in His Presence became a reality on November 21, 2022.

Among those preceding her earthly transition include her parents, Erma and Andrew Banks. Among those who cherish the honor of her godly Life and legacy are her devoted son: Jamarus S. Banks; two sisters, Cassandra Williams (Clarence) of Harker Heights, Texas, and Monica Nesbit (Nathan) of Killeen, Texas, Texas; three brothers: Andrew Banks (Joan) of Harker Heights, Texas; Trent Banks (LeAnn) of Austin, Texas; and Andre Banks of Harker Heights, Texas; three Aunts: Flora Banks, Allie Thibodeaux, and Annie Adams, and a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends.