Haynie Gillespie Prince was born September 2, 1904,

the son of Marcus and Laura Prince. The second of six brothers

and sisters, Haynie grew up on a farm in Lincoln County, Geor-

gia, where his father served as an elder in the Presbyterian

Church. By the age of seventeen he had completed his primary

and secondary education in the local schools and was accepted as an undergraduate student at Presbyterian College, Clinton,

South Carolina. Upon graduation in 1925, he was offered the

position of elementary school Principal in Bessemer City,

North Carolina.

The last of nine children of Thomas Marion and Georgia De-

Lura Banks, Lura Gertrude was born February 2, 1902. She

attended schools in Stevens County and enrolled in the State

Normal School in Athens, which later became the University of

Georgia. Upon graduation, she applied for and was accepted as

a first grade teacher in the small town of Bessemer City, North

Remembering Haynie and Gertrude Banks

Carolina, whose prin-

cipal was none other

than Haynie Gillespie

Prince. The teacher-

principal relationship

blossomed until they

faced a major dis-

agreement over the

method of teaching

music to first grad-

ers—Gertrude the

teacher, Haynie the

musician. As it turned out Haynie acquiesced, which eventually led to courtship between

principal and teacher.

With Gertrude’s brother and sister-in-law—John Allen and Susie—in attendance, the

couple was married August 20, 1936, in Calvary Baptist Church, Spartanburg, SC. They

honeymooned in the North Carolina Mountains. After their honeymoon, the couple

returned to Bessemer City where they remained until Haynie was selected to fill the

position of Dean of Students at Presbyterian College. While in Clinton, Gertrude be-

came a mother—their daughter Jeri was born—taught kindergarten and, in fact, was the

charter director of the Presbyterian Church kindergarten of Clinton .

Continued on page 2

Inside this issue: Volina Dixon Roper P.2

Family News

Anncouncements P.3

Jeri Stapleton authors

series of children’s books

P.4

Dan & Taylor Coles

P.4

Contact me with your news!!

Donna Banks Dodd

3425 Spinnaker Way

Acworth, GA 30102

678-574-7071

P.4

BANKS Winter-Spring

2008

Winter-Spring 2008 Page 2

Remembering Haynie and Gertrude Banks

continued from page 1

In 1954 Haynie accepted a position as principal and the family moved to Brook-

field, Georgia. In 1959, another move took them to Moultrie, Georgia, where both

Haynie and Gertrude taught. While in Moultrie, Gertrude returned to college and

completed degree requirements at Valdosta State College. And what would become

the climax of his teaching career, Haynie commuted daily to Albany, Georgia—a

distance of forty miles—whose school system allowed teachers and principals to

participate in Social Security, a move designed to improve his retirement benefits.

Haynie died August 25, 1977, a week away from his 73rd birthday. He was a self-

taught musician and a talented artist. He will always be remembered for his deep

love of family—the Prince family, the Banks family, the Stapleton family. Gertrude

was the last survivor of Thomas Marion’s children and she treasured her role as

family matriarch. And not only could she recite the names of her many nieces and

nephews, she knew the next generation as well. Gertrude died November 6, 1994,

at the age of 92. She and Haynie are buried in Sunset Gardens, Moultrie, GA.

Jeri Stapleton, Alamo, Ga.

Volina Dixon Roper We mourn the loss of beloved cousin Volina Dixon Roper who died Satur-

day, February 9, 2008. Our heartfelt condolences reach out to

husband Earl, daughters Margaret, Debra, and Patricia; sister Martha Jane; broth-ers, Thomas and Rodolph; five grandchildren—Diana Ric Hall, Blake, Ashley,

Stephen and Tyler Hudson; and, one great grandchild, Mason L. Hall.

Although Volina had been in declining health, she remained steadfast in her love for

her extended family of cousins, and made

every effort, even though painful, to attend

the annual reunion of the Banks Family.

The daughter of Bertie Volina Banks and

Willard Rodolph Dixon, she drew her first

breath in Greenville, SC, seventy-four years

ago, and was laid to rest on a quiet and gen-

tle slope in Oconee Memorial Park.

She will be sorely missed.

Winter-Spring 2008 Page 3

Aunt Ophelia

Kenneth Edward Maggio Berrane

was born to Benjamin Anderson Ber-

rane and Jessica Maggio on March 25.

They live in Kill Devil Hills, N.C., where

Ben works in a lawn-care business and is

a l so a vo lunteer f i re f ighter .

Ben is son of Shelley Anderson.

Elizabeth Marie Robinette Ander-

son married Timothy Chambers on

Oct. 14. The two live in Kill Devil Hills.

She is daughter of Shelley Anderson.

David James Berrane is working on

his M.S. in Environmental Science at Vir-

ginia Commonwealth University, and also

works for the Virginia Department of

Environmental Quality. David is son of

Shelley Anderson

Andy Berrane lives in Colorado with

his wife, Melissa, and their son, Bryce.

Andy is son of Shelley Anderson.

Aunt Alice

Alicia & Harold Speers (Kinsey &

Briana) have finely gotten settled into a

new home since their house fire June 4th

2007. Their new home is in

Canton, Georgia . Chris

Terrell & his wife, Heidi

are expecting a baby in Au-

gust!

Jeri Chasteen (Doris's daughter) had

foot surgery in February. Once that one

heals, she will have surgery on the

other foot.

Conner James Blasco was born on

November 26, 2007. He weighted in at 8

pounds 15 ounces and was 20 inches

long. He is the son of Bryan and Car-

rie Blasco. Bryan is the son of Ron

and Brenda Blasco - grandson of

Ralph Truitt and Margaret Banks

and the late Bennie Banks. The

proud father, mother and big sister, Sid-

ney are doing fine and adjusting to their

new bundle of joy.

After Theresa arrived back home in

Germany, she wanted to visit the Christ-

mas scenes in Germany so off to Rude-

sheim and this picture is there. "Theresa

Dixon in her MIT cap and scarf visit the

Scandinavian section in Rudesheim inter-

national market."

Mason Linvil Hall was born 30 Janu-

ary 2008 to Ben & Diana Rich Hall of

Flowery Branch, Georgia.

Mason weighed in at 8 lbs & 2 oz and

was 21 1/4 inches long.

Diana is the daughter of the late Linvil

Rich & Margaret Roper Rich. Marga-

ret is daughter of Earle & Volina

Dixon Roper, who is daughter of

Willard and Bertie Banks Dixon.

Rodolph Dixon has just completed a

period of time as Interim pastor of First

Baptist Church, Kingstree, SC.

Thomas Dixon

Aunt Bertie

Daniel Dixon receives announce-

ment that he is accepted to Furman

University, Greenville, SC. Daniel

lives in Germany with his parents,

Tim and Irm Dixon. Daniel is

grandson of Ginger and Thomas

Dixon.

The triplets are all

in college; Stephen is at UNC -

Chapel Hill, NC, Ashley and Blake

are at Furman University in

Greenville, SC. Patricia, Mike and

son Tyler have moved to Red Oak,

Iowa where Mike has accepted a

position as plant manager to a bat-

tery component division of Johnson

Controls.

Uncle Groves

Jeri Stapleton and Taylor with artist, illistrator, Jo Anne Edge

Winter-Spring 2008 Page 4

About three years ago, I felt this strong urge - which I think came from the good

Lord - telling me that I should begin a series of books for children that were

inspirational but not preachy. We are all called by God to witness, and maybe

this is one way that I can do so. The main character is my own little Bos-

ton terrier, Taylor. There are five books in this series designed to promote

Inspirational Children’s literature.

These books are written to appeal to children from ages 3 to 9. The series of

stories explores such issues as cultural diversity, dealing with death, and the true

meaning of Christmas. The first three books focus on God as the creator, God

as a loving and forgiving Holy Father, and on God’s plan. In the fourth book,

Taylor will have her first encounter with the baby Jesus as she learns the true

meaning of Christmas.

Visit the website at www.TaylorStories.com.

Jeri’s email: jeristapleton@hotmail.com

Jeri Stapleton authors series of children’s books

The 2007 Banks Reunion was very special for me, as both my

sons were able to attend. This was Danny’s third year straight;

and Taylor’s first time to attend in many years. Taylor flew in late

Friday, just in time to join us for cemetery clean-up the next morn-

ing.

Dan (left) is now 25 years old, lives in Cary, NC, and works for

Golden Corral Corporate in their computer support division.

Taylor is 23, lives in Denver, Colorado, and works for Rock Star

energy drinks in their marketing division.

Donna Banks Dodd

Proud mom!!

Danny and Taylor Coles

Got Scoop for the next newsletter?

You may send it via email to donnabdodd@yahoo.com or by US

Mail to: Donna Dodd, 3425 Spinnaker Way, Acworth, GA 30102

Phone: 678-574-7071

Mamma Beth with Taylor