FRANKLIN — Deaconess Ruth Barham Banks, 84, of 31085 Riverdale Drive, passed away peacefully while surrounded by her family on Thursday, Aug. 9, 2018.

She was a native of Hertford County, North Carolina. She resided most of her life in Franklin, Virginia. She was the third child of the late Freeman and Mamie Barham.

She was educated in the Hertford County School system and later received her Certified Nursing Assistant degree from Paul D. Community College in Franklin.

Deaconess Banks worked at Rollic Manufacturing in Murfreesboro, North Carolina for 23 years and achieved the level of supervisor in the Shipping Department. After the closing of Rollic Manufacturing, she became a school bus driver for the Southampton County School system and served for approximately 30 years in that capacity.

Deaconess Banks accepted Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Sinai Baptist Church in Como, North Carolina. After marriage, she joined Diamond Grove Baptist Church in Franklin. She served as the president of the Usher Board for several years, and was an avid member of the Senior Choir for many years. In the choir, she often sang the song “No Doubt.”

She married Deacon Ernest L. Banks Sr. on Jan. 7, 1953, and they were blessed with 62 years of marriage. From that union came four children, Dr. Catherine Olivia Banks of Salisbury, Maryland; Betty Jean Mann (Robert) and Ruth Ardell Banks, both of Hampton, Virginia; and Ernest L. Banks Jr. of Southampton County, Virginia; and one adopted granddaughter, Jackie Carter (Joseph) of Leesburg, Virginia. Deaconess Banks also has two surviving sisters, Sarah Jones and Mamie Edna Sugars (Earl.)

She also leaves behind two brother-in-laws, Deacon Samuel Banks (Hazel) and Deacon Earl Sugars (Mamie;) three sister-in-laws, Henrietta Barham, Gladys Barham, and Eloise Stanley; and nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.

Decreased siblings include three brothers, Leslie Barham Sr., Freeman Barham Jr. and William Dennis Barham.

The celebration of life service will be on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 11:30 a.m. in Diamond Grove Baptist Church, 30466 Riverdale Drive, Franklin. Viewing will be on Friday, Aug. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Elvin Vaughan Funeral Home, Franklin.

For more information, visit www.elvinvaughanfuneralhome.com. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Vaughan Funeral Home of Franklin.