Obituary of Eric S. Banks Sr.

The frontline of God’s battlefield is best served by those who are swift at the feet–armed, equipped and ready to move when God moves–unafraid to elevate a war cry in wartime. During the rising tensions of Vietnam, a brief moment of peace rested over the Bedford-Stuyvesant household of Annie Lee (Boyd) Banks and Clifton Banks. The birth of the boy-child, Eric Sidney, filled the home with a sense of great promise. The date was October 26, 1958 in Brooklyn, New York. He was very fair, with innocently handsome eyes and a somewhat reddish glow like David. Yet the temperature of his spirit would wail out a perfectly tuned toddler’s praise! Not surprisingly, during his early childhood, he would travel extensively, spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in song with the family quartet group, The Sensational Twilights of Brooklyn. Eric was educated in the New York City Public School System at PS21, gradually earning a reputation as an up and coming athlete at Track and Field. Wishing that Eric’s upbringing be balanced with the principles of progressive holiness, his parents enrolled him in Saints Junior College (COGIC) in Lexington, Mississippi under the presidency of Dr. Arenia C. Mallory. Returning from Saints Junior College endued with the wonder of God’s hand upon his life, Eric went on to graduate Sheepshead Bay High School in 1976 and immediately set out to establish a life dedicated to serving the Lord and His people. The ultimate joy of Eric’s junior year of High School was receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Consequently, Eric’s personal conviction for Christ manifested fruitful works in the vineyard at Faith Temple Church of God in Christ under the pastorate of the late Superintendent W. W. Covington. After the passing of Superintendent Covington, Eric served under the pastorate of the late Bishop C. L. Sexton at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Brooklyn before being assigned to help with the ministry of the Mission for Christ Church of God in Christ under Superintendent Calvin Singleton. Never growing weary from the rhythm of his Pentecostal culture, Eric found himself at the 57th Holy Convocation of Eastern New York Jurisdiction convening at the historic Washington Temple in Brooklyn. It was there he met the young, beautiful, Karen D. Fleming--radiant, refined, sanctified with charm and elegance. Karen became his bride on March 27, 1982. This Godly union was favored with the blessing of Erica, Joy, Nicole, Karon and Eric Jr.–all of whom would become the absolute delight of his life! While instilling within his son a strong sense of determination, faith, achievement, responsibility and a life of prayer, his lifelong ministry to his daughters was one of grace, virtue and loving fatherly protection. One of the crowning moments of Elder Banks’ life was to witness his son, Eric, acknowledge the call to the Gospel Ministry. To God be the glory! In 1986, upon the family’s migration from Brooklyn to Long Island, young aspiring Elder Banks made All Saints Temple Church of God in Christ in Hempstead his home. By this time, the burden of the Gospel witness rested upon him. Eric said ‘Yes” to the Lord and humbly advanced from a licensed minister to an ordained elder in the Church of God in Christ under his pastorate of Dr. Milton E. Rochford. All the while, a passion for service was burning in his heart. He served All Saints Temple as Vice President of the Youth Department for 18 years–and with unwavering faithfulness, over the course of three decades–achieved the distinction of Senior Elder among the All Saints Temple Family. Upon the formation of the F. D. Washington Memorial District by Bishop Frank Otha White, Elder Banks was appointed by his pastor, Superintendent Milton E. Rochford, to serve as District Evangelism President. Moreover, in recognition of his leadership qualifications, from 2011 - 2012, Elder Banks was assigned to oversee the St Albans Community Church of God in Christ. An upright example of a hard- working family provider was portrayed in Elder Banks’ gainful employment for over 20 years in the automotive industry, culminating with the East Hills Chrysler in Greenvale, New York at the time of his earthly departure. By example, he led. By faith, he taught. In fact, the weight of his words, seasoned with insight and wisdom strongly influenced the renaming of Elm Street at the corner of the All Saints Temple Campus to “Mother Brown’s Corner.” ELDER ERIC SIDNEY BANKS, SR. Forever fired up for conducting testimony service, Elder Banks could be heard setting the tempo for the acoustic rock that reverberated from the hardwood holy ground of All Saints Temple’s inner court with his stirring call-and-response, “I’m A Soldier” or “God is A Good God” or “Search Me Lord!” Somewhere, in the twilight of 58 years, the Holy Ghost gave Elder Banks a dance that only the Holy Ghost could give! His footwork was his own, his joy was unspeakable and his praise was for real! A man of good report, full of good works, well able to rightly divide the word of truth, Elder Banks’ legacy shall be perpetuated in the holy dance led by his loving wife of 34 years, Evangelist Karen Banks; his five dear children: Erica D. Taylor (Michael), Joy D. Banks, Nicole D. Lewis (Jeritt), Karon D. Banks and Eric S. Banks Jr.; Grandchildren: Michael Jewell, Kameron DeShaun, Khloe Leigh, Michaela Rae and Blake Nathaniel; his siblings: Curley Hall, Ronald Banks (Desirta), Pamela Banks and Gail Govan (Henry); a glorious band of nieces and nephews; Godchildren: Thomas Jr., Niajah, Patrice, Jamel, Javon, Tequilla, Jahna and Jahneen; two God-brothers, Bishop Mitchell Hudson and Ben Vereen; many dear family friends, Khalia Brown, countless covenant brothers and sisters sprinkled with a fond representation of colleagues from far and near; yet none so close as his beloved Bishop Milton E. Rochford and the All Saints Temple Church Family. Elder Banks’ transition from labor to reward is preceded by his parents, Deacon Clifton Banks and Annie Lee Banks, his sister Barbara Banks Hodge and brother Gregory Banks. “But the just man, though he die early, shall be at rest. For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in terms of years. Rather, understanding is the hoary crown for men, and an unsullied life, the attainment of old age.”