Charlotte Sampson-Banks

Charlotte "Big Mamma" Sampson-Banks, 96, was called home by the Lord on March 17, 2013. She was born in Longstreet, Louisiana on February 15, 1917 to Andy & Georgia Sampson. She graduated from Solomon M. Coles High School and later married Ossie Banks. Over the course of her life she was a devout Christian who loved the Lord with all her heart and raised her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to do the same and always have faith in God. She was a member of St. John Baptist Church for over 60 years and faithfully served the Lord through many missions and ministries until her health was compromised. She was actively involved in singing in the Choir, teaching Sunday school, and participating in Bible Study and Training Union. She also served as mission president of Circle Mary. "Big Mamma" worked many years at Retama Manor Nursing Home as a nurse's aide, and also had hobbies she enjoyed during her free time. She was an awesome cook and made the most delicious peach cobblers, peach preserves, sweet potato pies, gumbo, and chitterlings. She also liked to sew, and on most Saturdays you could find her at the Flea Market looking for the best bargains. She is preceded in death by her parents, Andy and Georgia Sampson; husband, Ossie Banks; grandson, Ronald Ray Rice; and siblings, Eunice Sampson, Ada Sampson, Earnest Sampson, and Jessie Sampson. "Mother Charlotte" was the last surviving child of the Sampson union and will be dearly missed. She leaves to cherish her memories two daughters, Jimmie Lee (Marshall) Wooten-Rice, Charlotte Ann Banks; a very special step-daughter, Faye Etta (J.D.) Banks-Francis; grand-children: Drusilla Danette Rice, Kendra Katrice (Michael) Rice-Goynes, Tyra Elaine Banks, & Tiffany LaShae Williams-Maybank; great-grandchildren: Romeo Eastin Rice, Kyja Joy Rice, Kerri QuayShan (Ashley) Lewis, Michael Arnett Goynes II, & Keylan Ronald-Marshall Goynes; great-great grandchildren: Brandon, Anthony, & Jaidyn Rice; and nieces: Esther (Oscar) Sampson-Jones, Mary (John) Sampson-La Rue, and Eunice Sampson lovingly known as "Sister-Girl" along with many more relatives and friends. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the St. John Church Family for their prayers, visits, and phone calls & to the Sunnybrook Nursing Home staff for their services. The family will be receiving friends at Trevino Funeral Home 3006 Niagara at Port on Saturday, March 23, 2013 from 9:00 am to 11:00 am; with a Memorial Service to be celebrated at 11:00 am.