Gone but Not Forgotten

My sweet brother, Raymond Edgar Banks, age 86, died peacefully in his sleep yesterday (October 2, 2009) at Westminster Woods Retirement Home in Jacksonville, Florida. I visited him in August and felt that his days were numbered here on this earth. As much as I will miss him, I know now that he is in Heaven with all of my immediate family (Mom, Dad, brother Jimmy, wife Evelyn, granddaugher Kimberly).

Ray was born on Dec. 31, 1912, in Big Stone Gap, VA. After high school graduation, he went into the Navy and then graduated from Virginia Tech. He met his wife (Evelyn) and they got married at her home in California on Feb. 18, 1951. They moved to Rockville, MD where they lived for many years. Ray was a Navy Civilian Government employee for many years. They raised three children: Steve, Bob, and Carolyn. From these three children came six grandchildren.

When Ray and Evelyn retired, they moved to St. Augustine, Florida and lived there until they moved to the Westminster Woods Retirement Home several years ago. Evelyn died in September of 2007. Ray had been in declining health for awhile.

You can see more pictures of my older brother by clicking HERE. I had written a post about our trip to see him this past August. I am so glad that I had that last chance to see him. Pictured above is one of my favorite pictures of Ray when he and Evelyn and their son Bob visited us here in Tennessee in 2004. Below are a few more pictures.




This is my family (taken about 1946 I think). I am in front (obviously)--and my special dolly (LuLu) is on the ground in front of me. From left to right: brother Jimmy (Jim) --who died from cancer in 1985; My Dad --who died in 1969; My Mom--who died in 1991; and brother Ray. As you can see, I am the only immediate family member left.




This picture was taken about 1944. Do you think that little girl looked up to her big brother???? You betcha!!!!





This picture was taken at Evelyn's memorial service in September of 2007 in Jacksonville, FL. From left to right: Cousin Tommy Cummings (a good buddy of Ray's), Ray and me





This picture was taken on August 4, 2009--when George and I visited Ray. "You may be gone, Big Brother, but you will never be forgotten."

In Loving Memory of RAYMOND EDGAR BANKS (1922-2009)

Tell the ones you love just what they mean to you . One never knows when they may be gone.
Hugs,

P.S. Forgive me if I miss your blogs or miss posting for a few days. I WILL be back!