Ginny Banks

Ruth Virginia Banks, “Ginny,” age 75, passed away on July 18, 2021, at home. She was just two days shy of her 76 ^th birthday.

She was born to Francis Riley and Ruth Virginia (Fortner) Brakefield in Montgomery, AL. Ginny grew up in Ravenna, KY, and after graduating from Irvine High School in Estill County, KY, she received bachelors and masters degrees in education and spent much of her career as a caring teacher in the Owen County School System. She was a loving mother, granny, sister, aunt, and friend. A devoted granny, she spent much of her time with her grandchildren. Ginny was an excellent cook who enjoyed gardening, canning, and fishing and loved being with her family and friends. A kind and generous woman, she had an unbreakable spirit and was determined to live each day to the fullest.

Preceded in death by her husband, Carl, and her parents, she is survived by her sister Jane (Brakefield) Woodrum; son Russell True McClanahan, his wife Tammy and granddaughters Tiernan McClanahan and Delaney (Michael) Vittitoe; son Stan Lee Banks and grandsons, Samuel Carl and Jonathan Louis; son James Carl Banks, his wife Juliann and granddaughters Emma and Sarah, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The family would especially like to thank Ginny’s caregivers over the past five years, including Trudy Waldrop, Betty West, Teresa Hunt, Geraldine Sanders, Ann Preston, and especially Tina Beasley for being with her in her last moments.

McDonald & New Funeral Homes are in charge of arrangements.  Family will receive friends at the Main Street location on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, from 11 am until 1 pm.  Funeral services will follow at 1 pm with burial in the Monterey Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Beka’s Toppers, the American Cancer Society, and the ALS Association.