Nannie Lee (French) Turner-Banks (1922 - 2012)

Born 13 Aug 1922 in Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Clarence Monroe Turner — married 18 Mar 1944 (to 20 Mar 1977) in Calhoun, Alabama, United States

Died 9 Mar 2012 at age 89 in St. Louis, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Nannie (French) Turner-Banks is a part of US Black heritage.

Obituary

Nannie Lee Turner-Banks was born in Kansas City, Kansas on August 13, 1922 to Thomas J. French and Anna Miller-French. Nannie was affectionately called "Nan" and was the seventh of ten children born to the French Family. Nan was baptized at The Church of Our Lady on May 23, 1933. In 1937, Nan completed her elementary school education at The School of Our Lady in Kansas City, Kansas. At age 16, she courageously left Kansas City and traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to become a nun at the nation's first order for African American nuns, The Oblate Sisters of Providence. Nan was the first African American from Kansas City, Kansas to join the order. After several years in Baltimore, she returned to the state of Kansas to attend the Kansas Vocational School; an African American boarding school located in Topeka. Nan loved the school so much that she decided that her two younger siblings should also benefit from a quality education. Always wanting the very best for her siblings, the following year, she brought them with her to the boarding school. Nan married Dr. Clarence Monroe Turner, M. D., her best childhood friend and the love of her life, in Anniston, Alabama on March 17, 1944. Clarence was in the United States Army and stationed in Anniston at the time. In November of 1957 and December of 1960 respectively, Patrick Edward Lee Turner and Susan Elaine Turner were born in Nan's and Clarence's hearts. Eddie and Susan proved to be great bundles of joy for the Turners. Nan and Clarence were married for 33 years. Clarence passed away on March 20, 1977. Nan believed that education was the key to success. This was evident by her continued pursuit of scholarship. She attended Tennessee State University, in Nashville, Tennessee before moving to St. Louis in 1947 with her husband. Nan put her education on hold until her husband completed his internship at Homer G. Phillips Hospital. In 1973 Nan, enrolled in the PACE Program (a program that was developed for older adults who wanted to return to school) and was one of three graduates of the program. Her lifelong dream was fulfilled in 1975 when she graduated from Fontbonne College (presently known as Fontbonne University). Nan married Wilbert A. Banks on April 11, 1981. They enjoyed 14 years of marriage. Wilbert passed away in May, 1995. Nan held leadership positions and memberships in social and civic organizations. She was a Charter Member of the St. Louis Drifters, Inc., and a Delta Dear and Golden Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta, St. Louis Alumnae Chapter. She was very active in her church; St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church (formerly known as St. Engelbert's) and served as a Lector, Past Parish Council member and Volunteer. Nan's parents and seven of her siblings: Hezekiah French, Wilfred French, Goldie French Hill, Cecil Batey-Johnson, Corutello "Tillie" French Henderson, Thomas John French, Jr. and Elray Theresa French Buford preceded her in death. Nan is survived by: son, Patrick Edward Lee Turner of Kansas City, Missouri; daughter, Susan Elaine Buford (James H. Buford) of St. Louis, Missouri; sister, Leatha Britto (Neville) of Saginaw, MI; brother, James French (Olivia) of Charleston, SC; granddaughter, Kenya Aiyana Marie Turner of Kansas City, Missouri; Grandson, Alexander McKinley Allen of Villa Ridge, Missouri; step-grandsons, James Buford (JoeAnn) and Jason Buford (Lateshia); step-great grandchildren, Nosaj Buford, Jazmin Buford, James Buford III, Kristopher Boyd, Dstany and Dymonds Harris. She is also survived by her special friend and companion, Curtis Young and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Nan was a special person. She enjoyed all of life's treasures, but most importantly, she loved her family and friends. Nan was a great wife, an awesome mother, sister, aunt and friend. She touched the lives of many, and she will certainly be missed.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Nannie-Lee-Turner-Banks-93437181?fbclid=IwAR1gTSDw6DEUEIgi5BKk85OVHwmzMmBX6RSzxFfihy-2WNTIIp7M0r7Gink

• "Kansas State Census, 1925", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGVS-FXZ8 : 4 April 2021), Nannie L French in entry for F J French, .
• "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X775-64V : accessed 6 April 2021), Nanlee French in household of J Thomas French, Kansas City, Wyandotte, Kansas, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 5, sheet 22A, line 28, family 359, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 727; FHL microfilm 2,340,462.
• "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q21X-6C8X : 19 February 2021), Clarence Monroe Turner and Nannie Lee French, 17 Mar 1944; citing Election Precinct 29 Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,892,266.
• "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:29NL-9H6 : 19 February 2021), Clarence Monroe Turner and Nannie Lee French, 18 Mar 1944; citing Calhoun, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 2,200,390.
• "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:29NL-9H6 : 19 February 2021), Clarence Monroe Turner and Nannie Lee French, 18 Mar 1944; citing Calhoun, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 2,200,390.
• "United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVTM-5VB6 : accessed 6 April 2021), Nannie Lee Turner-Banks, Missouri, United States, 15 Mar 2012; from "Recent Newspaper Obituaries (1977 - Today)," database, GenealogyBank.com (http://www.genealogybank.com : 2014); citing St. Louis Post-Dispatch, born-digital text.