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Sidney R. Banks Sr., Dagsboro church founder

January 21, 2018

Sidney R. Banks Sr., 84, of Dagsboro, departed this life Friday, Jan. 19, 2018, at Delaware Hospice Center in Milford, surrounded by his family.

Sidney was born in Millville, the third son of Ruley F. Banks Sr. and Millie Coburn Banks. He attended and graduated from Lord Baltimore High School.

Sid married his high school sweetheart, Minerva B. Smith, Nov. 20, 1954. They lived for several years in Ocean View before moving in 1962 to their home in Dagsboro where they raised their five children, and lived the remainder of their lives.

In 1954, Sid also joined the U.S. Army, and was based in Colorado during his active service. He served two years on active duty and six more years in the Army Reserves, and was honorably discharged as an SPC-4.

Sid was a former member of the Millville Volunteer Fire Company and was part of the fire company's first ambulance service that began in 1961.

Sid worked for the DuPont Company in Seaford for over 40 years, retiring in 1993. He served as a mechanic at the plant for most of his career.

Sid and Minerva were charter members, and a vital part in starting and promoting the Dagsboro Church of Christ when it began in 1974. Both served as Bible School teachers for many years. Sid first served as a deacon and then an elder of the church, helping oversee the doctrinal purity of the church during its infancy and steady growth, as well as pastoring the membership for over 40 years. He was admired and respected as a man, and for his faith and dedication to God and his Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sid will be remembered as a kind, humble, caring man who was always ready and willing to do what he could for anyone who may have needed a helping hand. He was generous, far and above the call, with his time, talents and finances.

Sid was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Minerva, Jan. 6, 1995; his parents, Ruley and Millie Banks; brothers, Ruley F. Banks Jr. and Ralph L. Banks Sr.

Sid is survived by his daughters, Sue Jacobs (Clint), Ellen Tietmeyer (Greg), Pamela Cooper (Jimmy), Melissa Belote (Scott) and his son, S. Robert Banks Jr.; his grandchildren, Chad Marvel (Kate), Virginia Wason (Ryan), Stephanie Tietmeyer, Gregory Tietmeyer (Paige), Jim Cooper and Kalie Cooper (Austin); great-grandson, Jeffrey Marvel (Julia); his sister, Rosemary Brown (Pete) and his brother, Stanley Banks (Patsy).

Services will be Wednesday, Jan. 24, at the Dagsboro Church of Christ. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. till noon with services at noon. Interment will be at Prince George's Cemetery in Dagsboro.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Sid's memory to the Dagsboro Church of Christ, 28001 Dagsboro Road, Dagsboro, DE 19939, or Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.

Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.

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