Funeral services took place Jan. 14 at Monumental Baptist Church, Jersey City, for Minister Juanita Maria Jones Banks, 45. She passed away at Easton Hospital in Easton, Pa., on Jan. 5. She was born in Valdosta, Ga., the first born of four children by Reverends Joseph and Annie Rea Chandler Jones. Minister Banks came to Jersey City when she was an infant. She attended Sacred Heart and Saint Aloysius Academy in Jersey City and Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., for three years as a political science major. In 1994, Nita attended New York School of the Bible. “Nita” (as her family calls her) grew up in Monumental Baptist Church, Jersey City. She accepted Christ at an early age. Juanita attended Sunday School, Girl Scouts, sang in the intermediate choir, served as president of Baptist Youth Fellowship (BYF) and attended the Sunday School National Conventions in Nashville, Tenn. These are some of the seeds and experiences that helped prepare her for the ministerial journey.
Nita was licensed to preach in September 2002. Juanita joined the ministerial at Emmanuel Temple and served until she moved to Pennsylvania. After being in Easton for a while and visiting several churches, Minister Juanita and Kevin Banks joined Shiloh Baptist Church of Easton, Pa., where Rev. Phillip Davis is pastor. Minister Banks worked at General Plumbing in Bayonne, Macy’s in Palmer, Pa., and Guardian Insurance Co. in Bethlehem, Pa. She leaves to mourn her husband, Kevin Banks; two children, Jordan and Joy Banks; her father and mother, Rev. Joseph and Rev. Annie Jones; sister of Joseph Jr. (Tamera), Aletha and Alison Jones; mother-in-law Linda Banks; sister-in-law Julia Banks; stepson Kevin Jr.; a godmother Anna Johnson; a godson Darrion Pierce; uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins; and other relatives and a host of friends. Services arranged by the Watson Mortuary Service, Jersey City.