Beth Banks

October 20, 1932 - March 26, 2017

Beth Banks, 84, entered Heaven, Sunday, March 26, 2017. She is preceded in death by her parents and friend Glynn Windham. She is survived by several cousins and countless friends. Beth was a long time member of First Baptist Church Rusk and a regular at the monthly nursing home luncheons where her presence will be missed. Beth was born October 20, 1932 in Rusk, Texas to Joe Bob Banks and Susie Elen Banks. She graduated from Rusk High School in 1950. After graduation Beth opted for a career in Nursing and graduated from Parkland Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1957 where she received the Merit Award for Nursing Services from The American Red Cross. She achieved her Registered Nurse License from the Board of Nurse Examiners for The State of Texas in 1958. Beth continued her education in 1966 by receiving a Human Relations Certificate from the University of Texas and an Emergency Medical Technician Certificate from Texas A&M University. In 1972 Beth graduated with her Masters of Education degree from Stephen F. Austin State University. She retired from Rusk State Hospital in 1985 after 25 years of service and served in the nursing field for 51 years. Beth was a member of the American Nurses Association, Texas Nurses Association, National League for Nurses, Texas League for Nurses as well as an American Red Cross nurse. She was a former member of Rusk Chamber of Commerce, Texas Public Employees Association, a member of the Iota Nu Chapter Sigma Tau and the International Honor Society of Nursing. Services will be Wednesday March 29, 2017 at 2:00pm in the chapel at Wallace Thompson Funeral Home in Rusk with Dr. Jacob Fitzgerald officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service. Pallbearers are Charles Hassell, David Beard, Jack White, Dawain Dover, Mike Crysup and Jason Hoffman. Honorary pallbearers are Robert Magee, James Campbell, Larry Sinclair, Jim Walker, Cynthia Eastepp and Deborah Sanders.