Proverbs 3:5-6 ^" Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Steve Banks, Jr., born April 20, 1926, in Pinola, Mississippi, was the youngest child of the late Reverend Steve Banks, Sr. and Phenie Albritton Banks. The ninth of 13 children born to his parents and stepmother Malissa, he was the last survivor. He received his education in the Simpson County Schools. He was married to the late Anna Lee Collins Banks and their union produced 13 children, in whom they instilled work ethics and moral values, taking them to Sunday School and Church and encouraging them to get to know the Lord as their personal Savior. Others preceding him in death include two children (Robert and Carolyn), one grandchild and several great-grandchildren.

Until his health began to fail, he continued to live in his home, drive his pickup truck, faithfully attend church, go hunting (in and out of season) and go fishing several times a week. He enjoyed helping the "elderly" by picking up and distributing monthly food allowances in the community. For many years he farmed, raising crops such as cotton, corn, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, and sugar cane, along with farm animals. He also hauled pulp wood for many years, worked at the Jackson Meat Packing Plant, and he  worked on the construction of the Jackson-Evers International Airport.

A veteran of World War II, he began his military service in the United States Army in 1945. He attained the rank of Corporal T-5 and was honorably discharged in 1947. While in the Army, he served at the following bases: Camp Shelby, Mississippi; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Dix, New Jersey: and Camp Beale, California. His first tour overseas occurred during the war – to Okinawa. The trip took 23 days by boat. There he served as a truck driver, charged with recovering bodies of deceased soldiers. His second overseas tour came near the end of the war in the Philippines in 1946. This trip took 14 days by boat. During his tour, he was assigned to the engineering department which was charged with building roads and bridges. It was during this tour that the Philippines were hit by a historic severe storm/typhoon – one of the strongest land-falling storms recorded in history. This typhoon had sustained winds of 195-200 mph with gusts up to 255 mph. He was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and Philippine Independence Ribbon.

Left to cherish memories and carry on his legacy are: 13 children, 41 grandchildren, 68 great grandchildren, 27 great-great grandchildren, sons and daughters-in-law, sisters-in-law, self-proclaimed and foster children, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless cousins.