Esther Lamar Banks

Celebration of Life and Ministry of Esther Lamar Banks Esther Lamar Banks, age 56, died the morning of Christmas Eve in the year 2021 of complications with Covid-19 in The Ohio University Wexner Medical Center. Esther was preceded in death by her aunt and uncle, Elder Earl Ponder and Missionary Easter Mae Ponder, who helped raise her and nurture her walk with Christ. She was also preceded in death by her mother- and father-in-law, Lavonne and Benny Banks, as well as her sister-in-law, Karen Banks. She leaves, to cherish her memories, her son, Kenny Banks Jr.; her granddaughter, Kamryn Amelia Banks; her mother, Eunice Finch; her sisters, Yvonne Denise Tucker and .Tracy and Deborah Mobley; her brother, Jamel Smith; her niece, Sameera Singletary; her nephews, Tavish Tucker, Michael Clayton, Malachi, and Jeremiah; her remaining aunt, Luvenia; and her brothers-in-law, Kelan and Kevin Banks. Esther also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends to grieve her passing. Esther was born August 1, 1965, in Detroit, Michigan. She was reared in a loving, nurturing, and God-fearing environment. She was royalty and timelessness personified, open-minded yet traditional. She fully embodied the phrases “It’s the thought that counts,” much is given much is required and “Stop and smell the roses,” as she thought of every moment as precious. Esther’s mother Eunice recognized early on that her daughter was blessed with the gift of music. She consulted with the pastor at her family’s church, Eastside Gospel Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, on how to cultivate Esther’s musical gifts. While Esther was encouraged to take music lessons, her instructor explained that Esther learned at an extraordinary pace; thus, formal lessons were not beneficial to her. In place of traditional music lessons, Esther’s pastor allowed her to serve in the music ministry at church and hone her talents. At the tender age of eight, Esther discovered her anointing's in song, piano, and organ. It was also at this age that Esther formed her first singing group. There was so much local buzz about their first performance that word spread out of town as well; the day of their first performance, attendance was so high that the event became standing-room only. Her small-town fame never eclipsed her humility nor her dedication to family, and - that same year - Esther acted as the musical director for her brother’s wedding and personally played for the ceremony. In school, Esther was encouraged further to perform and share her gifts in music. Her grade school teachers saw in her an additional calling to leadership and fostered her growth via opportunities in public speaking, performance, and mentoring her peers. During her elementary school promotion ceremony, Esther played piano for the procession and also served as the student speaker. Her profound speech metaphorized the theme of “The Busy Ants.” Esther’s character development through the influence of her teachers persisted well into her high school years. She assisted her music teacher in training other students when she herself was a young student at Denby High School. While Esther became more involved in her larger community, she never lost sight of her religious and spiritual foundations. She recognized her calling to counsel her peers as another facet of her service to God; and at the age of 15, Esther formally accepted Christ and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost under the ministry of Superintendent Berry. Esther’s positive influences from church and grade school inspired her commitment to learning. In 1987, after graduating from Denby High School, Esther moved to Ohio to attend Central State University. She later received an Associate of Science degree in Business Administration from Ohio Dominican University. Immediately after receiving her associate degree, Esther received a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Communications from Wilberforce University. To formulate a deeper knowledge and understanding in her ministry of counseling others, she went on to receive her Master of Celebration of Life and Ministry of Esther Lamar Banks Science degree in Community and Clinical Counseling from the University of Dayton, all while fulfilling the roles of parent and full-time employee at JPMorgan Chase & Co. During her undergraduate studies, Esther met and married Kenny Banks, Sr. Together, they supported one another’s musical efforts and had a son, Kenny Banks, Jr., July 15, 1988. During their marriage, from 1987-1997, Esther would travel internationally to sing with the Golden Gospel Singers and minister to others through music. But her heart would remain at home. Esther started her music ministry in Ohio under the leadership of Bishop H.E. Bellinger. She went on to play and coordinate the music ministry at New Covenant Believer's Church. It was here that Esther blended her worlds of music and counseling and sought higher education in psychology. While her primary title was Minister of Music, Esther went beyond the requirements of her legitimate commitments to pour into her choir members and her church family at-large. Her care and compassion for others, her dedication to service, and her devotion to learning inspired her to become a licensed therapist. This venture led to the expansion of Esther’s music ministry. She was met with open arms by Dr. Michael Bean to serve as the musical director at St. Paul AME Church. Esther's last assignment was with Bethany Baptist Church, directing their senior choir and overseeing their music ministry. Young and old, in all stations in life, have been blessed to glean from Esther’s wisdom, skills, gifts and talents. Esther lived according to the truth of God; thus, there are countless testimonies of Esther giving and serving in the hope to glorify God. Her life’s service was a testament to Jeremiah 1:9-10 which reads, “Then the Lord put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the Lord said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant” (KJV). May all of us “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14, KJV)