Hazel Juanita Banks

Hazel J. Banks got her wings on September 9, 2025., she was 89 years old. She passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family.

Hazel was born to Jewell Haynes Cates on October 29, 1935, in Henry, Tennessee, where she grew up and attended public schools, graduating from Katon Elementary High School, in Paris, Tennessee. Hazel was very active in school playing sports and participating in competitions and was known as the Spelling Bee Champion.

Hazel accepted Christ at an early age and united with Coles Chapel in Henry, Tennessee, where she played the church organ. Years later she and her family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana where she later united with Phillips Temple CME Church.

Hazel worked at RCA for many years before changing careers. After leaving RCA she worked for General Hospital aka Wishard Memorial Hospital in the Emergency room as an ER Tech and later transferred to the Neurology Department, where she worked as a Unit Secretary until she retired at the age of 60.

Hazel met and married her soulmate Harold James Banks and remained married until his death. She was a devoted wife of (50 years).

Hazel was an amazing woman who enjoyed being around family and close friends. She also, loved cooking, sewing, watching sports and family gatherings. Her dinner table was always a place of love and good times especially during the holidays, which was her favorite time of year, she loved being festive, shopping, decorating and cooking.

Hazel also, loved good music, to include: gospel, jazz, blues and soul music and she loved to travel and take cruises with her late husband. She was a Proverbs 31 Woman, defined by faith, family and strength, she spent her free time reading, sewing and writing poetry.

She was preceded in death by: her mother: Jewell Haynes Cates; Husband: Harold James Banks; Two Sisters: Cleo Webb and Shirley Rowe; Two Nephews: Eric Dudley and George Dudley and One Great grandson: James Whittington IV.

She leaves to cherish her memory: Two daughters; Theresa Hilliard and Tawanna Walker; Three sons: Aaron Hilliard, Dwight Hilliard (Shawna), Anthony Hilliard (Yvonne); One brother: Jackie Haynes (Louise); Bishop Charles Johnson and First Lady Rochelle and Ten grandchildren: Aaron Hilliard, Jr., Estoshia Walker, Teena Boyd, Domonique Hilliard, Erica Walker, Dwight Hilliard, Jr., Tia Evans (Eric), Kree Hilliard and Christian Hilliard, and a legacy host of nieces, nephews, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. God has been good!