Ernest Sherman Banks, Sr.

Ernest Sherman Banks, Sr. was born September 18, 1938 to the parents of Brady Banks, Sr. and Ida Lee (Lynum) Banks in Whatley, AL. He peacefully departed on September 3, 2020 surrounded by family.

Sherman graduated from Wilson Hall High School in Grove Hill, AL in 1958. After completing high school, he moved to Mobile, Al obtaining work in the construction field. In 1962 he packed up and headed north to Lockport, IL. In 1964 he started his career with Fisher Body later known as Electro Motive, a division of General Motors. He retired as a Mechanical Engineer in 1992 with 28 years of service. He is credited for encouraging many family members and friends to migrate to the Lockport/Joliet area.

Sherman was one of the founders of the Fairmont Developers later renamed Fairmont Builders. He was instrumental in rehabbing homes in the Fairmont community. He played a major role in the “Habitat for Humanity” project in the Fairmont area. He was an active school board member of Fairmont District #89. He was also a member of the local chapter of the Lions Club. His hobbies included fishing, hunting, golfing, checkers and various games.

Sherman was a devoted Christian of Shiloh Baptist Church until relocating to Grand Bay, Al. As a member of Shiloh for over 40 years, he proudly served as deacon, trustee and various other positions and on numerous committees. When his health started to fail, he relocated one last time, to Illinois to be surrounded by family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Brady Sr. and Ida Lee Banks, and his devoted and loving wife Hellen Banks. Sherman also loss a precious grandson Leonard Daniels; and siblings, Annie Blackmon, Geneva Weber, and Brady Banks, Jr. 

Sherman married Hellen (Naper) Banks in 1961. To this union were four children. He leaves to cherish his memories three sons and two daughters, Valerie Marshall of Theodore, AL; Ernest Banks, Jr. of Keller, TX; Cassandra Shelton of New Lenox, IL; Ryant (Karen) Banks of Plainfield, IL; and Bryant (Angela) Banks of Shorewood, IL;  nine grandchildren, Kierra, Elion, Tony, Justin, Dominique, Kyle, Brittany, Ryan, and Liberty-Ann; four great-grandchildren, Jacob, Skylar, Roman, and Karter; siblings, Dianna Gwin of Lockport, IL; Sarah (Ira) Nelson of Mobile, AL; Herman Banks of Little Rock, AK; and Gloria Kwafo of Naperville, IL; in-laws, James Lewis of Westchester, IL; Alfred (Deborah) Phelps of Hazel Crest, IL; Raynell Naper of St. Petersburg, FL; Lettace Lindsey of Greensboro, NC; and Wallace (Lorraine) Webster of Theodore, AL; and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

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