Rev. Jimmie Lee Banks

Jimmie Lee Banks was the fifth child born on July 17, 1944 to the late Rev. Anderson Douglas Banks, Sr. and Sarah Lorene Banks in Lyon, Mississippi.  In 1956 the family moved to Kansas City, Kansas where his father was called to pastor the Antioch Baptist Church.  All of the Banks children were active in church activities.  Jimmie and his siblings excelled in the music department and were well known throughout the city as the Banks Singers.  He was presented in numerous recitals and excelled in the choirs at Northeast Junior High School and Sumner High School. 

            Because of his vivacious personality and talent, he was very popular in school.  He played lead roles in plays and musicals and was a class officer.  While at Sumner, he met the love of his life, Alice Marie Yates.   Jimmie was a 1961 graduate of Sumner High School at the age of 16 and enrolled as a freshman at Pittsburg State College.  In 1963, Jimmie became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and later became a Life Member.  He and Alice became engaged while at Pittsburg State and married in August of 1965.  To this union God blessed them with two wonderful children, Lisa Camille and Damien Keith; who have made them the proud grandparents of four:  Sarah, John, Laila and Harper.

       Jimmie earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Central Missouri State University and a degree in Pastoral Studies from Western Bible College.  

            His secular work experience and accomplishments include a rewarding and successful 34-year career at Honeywell, Federal Manufacturing and Technologies in Kansas City, Missouri.  During his tenure, he held various positions in Human Resources/Personnel Management at the executive management level and was an ad hocprofessor at UMKC.

            A synopsis of the honors he has received include:  Black Achiever in Industry, Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Distinguished Service Award, National Alliance of Business; Black Achiever in Industry, Harlem YMCA; Distinguished Service Award, Urban League of Kansas City; Distinguished Leadership Award, United Negro College Fund; Distinguished Service Award, Department of Energy; Corporate Diversity Award.

            Jimmie Lee Banks answered the call to the ministry in 1989 and was called to pastor the Strangers Rest Baptist Church in 1993.  Under Rev. Banks' leadership, the church's focus was on building the basic ministries and expanding the congregation's capacity to love and share with each other.  He and his wife, Alice, worked as a team to strengthen family relationships which are the core units of the church.  Strangers Rest continued to expand its ministerial reach through Christian education, evangelism, heightened stewardship, connectional leadership, and congregational nurturing and fellowship.  An extensive 1.2 million dollar expansion was completed which enhanced and enlarged the church's ability and responsibility to win and train souls for Christian discipleship.

            His leadership in the religious community included: President of the Kansas City, Kansas Baptist Ministers' Union; Vice Moderator of Kaw Valley District Association; Dean of Kansas State Congress of Christian Education; President of the Missionary Baptist State Convention of Kansas; Assistant Director of Registration, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.

            Rev. Banks retired December 31, 2024 ending 30 years of devoted service to Strangers Rest Baptist Church.

Rev. Jimmie Lee Banks leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 60 years, Alice Yates Banks;  his children, Lisa Banks Long (John); Damien Banks (Dione); Grandchildren:  Sarah Long, John Long II; Laila Banks and Harper Banks; siblings:  LueKicius Brown (Sylvester); Rev. Ephthallia Banks and Veruynca C. Williams.  He was preceded in death by his parents Rev. A.D. and Sarah Banks; sister, Maude Lee Burrell; and brothers, Rev. Lacy Banks, Hansel Banks and Anderson Douglas Banks, Jr. 

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