Ms. Mary Jean Banks was born July 15, 1939 in Gates, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Frank and Nettie Mae Dozier. She went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at the age of 80 years.
Frank and Nettie moved with their six children, Frank Jr., Eddie, LZ, Amos, Jessie and Mary to Alliance, Ohio. While in Ohio, Mary gave birth to Anthony, Evonne, Robert and Barry. In the early 1960s, life directed her to relocate to Flint, Michigan, where she resided for thirty years, adding Toya, Oscar, Remo, Calvin and Isaac to her family.
Mary Jean pursued her passion of cooking and turned it into employment. Anyone who was around her knew she was always willing and ready to prepare a meal for you. Food was a way she showed her love to her family and friends. This also added a few extra pounds around your waist because the food was just too good to turn down. BUT everyone also knew not a crumb of that good food fell on her floors in her immaculate home.
Decorating was another passion of hers. Each room was decorated as if it was a show room, but it was still homey and inviting. There was deep appreciation and gratefulness as time allowed her to entertain family and friends, which she loved.
Mary Jean’s dance moves matched her colorful and bright spirit. Ms. Fashionista should have been her nickname, as she was always dressed to impress to look good for herself. In the late 1990s, she came to Saginaw, Michigan and became employed as a care giver.
Mary Jean rededicated her life to God at New Covenant Christian Center. Life presented her many challenges, but she remained focused on the future. One thing Mary Jean would stop you in your tracks and correct you to this very day is…”No honey, its so long not goodbye.”
Mary was preceded in death by her children, Anthony and Calvin Banks; parents, Frank and Nettie Mae Dozier; siblings, Eddie Dozier, Frank Dozier, LZ Dozier, Amos Dozier and Jessie Bush.
She leaves to celebrate her life two daughters, Toya Jackson, Saginaw, Michigan, Evonne Smith, Flint, Michigan; four sons, Robert (Chanta) Banks, Seattle, Washington, Barry (Edna) Banks, Flint, Michigan, Oscar Banks, Saginaw, Michigan, Isaac (Princess) Banks, Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Leticia Banks, Dominique Jackson, Patrick Jackson, Jr., Tanecia Banks, Anika (Monte) Sanders, Juawone Jones, Robert Jones, Dominique Sr. (Sarah) Banks, Candra Ester, Barry Jr., Ieisha Banks, Angel Banks, Victoria Banks, Shameika Jones, Isaac banks, Jr., Corey Harrington, Calvin Banks, Jr., Jarrell Banks, Latasha (Harry Jr.) Byrd, Oscar Banks, Jr., Michele; great-grandchildren, Marcus Turner, Jr., Monte Sanders, Jr., Ma’Khi Sanders, Anecia Banks-Lewis, Raheem Banks, , Patrick Jackson III, Dominique Banks, Jr., Cassidy Banks, London Banks, Brooklyn Jones, Jamilia Jones, Jalayah Jones, Deriyah Jones, Dream Jones, Leeya Jackson, Aareion McDougal; Calvin Holmes III, Brooklyn Law, Natalyah Jones, Kasen Banks, Jocylann Williams; great-great-grandchildren, Isabella Lewis, Isahia Lewis, Alvin banks, Jamal Banks, Dezmin Davis-Shorts, Rebecca Jackson, Andrew Jackson; many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends, including special friends, Barbara Payne, Betty Martin, Mattie Johnson and Dorothy Perkins.
The family would like to express special thanks to Great Lakes Rehabilitation Center Staff, Covenant Cooper Healthcare, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.
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