Cornilee Banks

Obituary For Cornilee Banks

CORNILEE BANKS, 91, transitioned into eternity in the presence of members of his family on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Ecumenical Retirement Community in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, son of the late Reverend Phillip Steven Banks, Sr. and the late Mary Jane (Humphrey) Banks, graduated from the Susquehanna Township High School in 1947. Within a year of his graduation, he joined the United States Army and compiled over twenty-five years of service before his retirement. Sergeant Cornilee Banks’ military career was varied and eventful. He was part of the 24th infantry deployed from Japan as part of the initial force in Korea where he was wounded. Because of his athletic prowess, he was often drafted for military competitions in football, basketball, track and field, baseball, volleyball and boxing throughout his army career. He served two, three year tours in Germany and completed a number of stateside posts where he was instrumental in building and operating guided-missile installations. After retiring from the Army, he spent many years working for Kessler Industries, an iron welding operation in El Paso, Texas. Later, he was employed by his brother, Jesse Banks in the family refuse hauling business. After that, he worked at the Harrisburg Incinerator and finally as a meat cutter at Karns Grocery Store in Lower Paxton Township. Cornilee’s Christian faith was nurtured first as a youth at Mt. Sinai A. M. E. Church in the Edgemont Community of Harrisburg and in his adult years at First Zion Primitive Baptist Church, where he was ordained as an Elder by Pastor Frank Hairston-Allen. He also supported True Light Grace Ministries (Pastor Kevin Jackson) and Friendship Community Outreach Church (Pastor Gary Banks). He was one of life’s unforgettable characters who walked with a swagger of confidence wherever he went throughout his life. With his wide smile, brash manner, and can-do spirit, few spaces through which he passed remained undisturbed. In addition to his parents; his siblings; Phillip, Jr., Alexander, Jesse, Angerone and Geraldine; his son, Stewart; his grandsons, Jerome Simmons and Tyreek Banks; his first wife, Dorothy Mae Banks and his second wife, Rebecca Banks preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Ophelia Greenlee of Georgia; his children from his first marriage: Carol Courtney and husband, Willie Charles Courtney of Texas, Linda Yvonne Thomas of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Charles Duane Banks and wife, Lisa of Florida; his step-children, Gary Banks and wife, Gloria of California, Darcy Randleman of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and Donna Shaw of Washington D.C. In addition, he leaves to mourn, his twelve grandchildren; his ten great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends. Cornilee’s life will be celebrated on Thursday, January 6, 2022 at 12 Noon in the Chapel of Major H. Winfield Funeral Home, 704 N. Front Street, Steelton, PA with viewing and visitation from 11:00 AM until 12 Noon and burial on Friday, January 7 at 10:30 AM in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Live Streaming of the service will be available on Major H. Winfield Funeral Home’s YouTube page. COVID-19 Guidelines will be observed with face masks and social distancing for all attendees.