Funeral services for Uoelan Cortez Banks, 94, of Greenville will be at noon on Saturday, June 9 at Boone-Smith Funeral Home, 1580 S. Colorado Street. He died Wednesday, June 6 at his home. Burial will be Lakeview Memorial Gardens under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
Cortez was born in Bruce, MS on February 15, 1924 to Velerie and Alex Banks. At the age of 19 he served for two years and eight months in World War II in England and France. Following his return home he married Mary Louise Price. They have just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary. Cortez was employed with Spector Freight Company for 29 years. When he retired, he loved to play golf and dominos with his golf buddies. Every summer he had a large vegetable garden until last year. He was of the Baptist Faith.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Velerie Martin Banks and father, Alex Banks, brothers, Gilsie Herman Banks, Grady Sherman Banks, Garlon Vernon Banks, Oren Lee Banks, Troy Gene Banks; sisters, Jessie Ree Smith and Molly Weeks; granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Oakes and great granddaughter, Ava Grace Oakes.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Louise Banks, two daughters, Patsy (Bryan) Oakes and Kathy (William) Copeland; two grandsons, Bryan (Amy) Oakes, Jr. and Trey (Kaci) Copeland; granddaughter, Breanna (Sinj) Lee; four great grandchildren, Landon Nevels, Trace Oakes, Mason Oakes and baby Corbin Lee Copeland; sister, Polly (David) Hubbard and a host of nieces and nephews.
There will be a visitation one hour prior to the services at the funeral home.