Isabella M. Banks

 Isabella “Isie” Maud (Edwards) Banks was born at Hahnemann Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on July 18, 1933.  Her parents were the late Lyndon and Sylvia (Harmon) Chase.  Isabella was a tremendously strong, beautiful, intelligent woman.  She graduated from Dobbins vocational High School in 1950 where she was in the Glee club, crochet club and studied to become a stenographer.  She met our father, James Hugo Edwards, in Portsmouth, Virginia while visiting her cousin John McGriff.  The two fell in love and were eventually
married on December 7, 1953. From this union (8) eight children were born; Wayne, Ronald, Gayle, Bryan, Sylvia, Terance, Dottie and Lyn. Isabella had one brother, Lyndon F. Chase who preceded her in death.


She was a phenomenal mother, wife and woman, who loved God with all her heart.  She dedicated her life to Jehovah and was baptized on February 4, 1967 in Jersey City.  She began pioneering for Jehovah on September 1,1999 and continued for about 15 years.  She lived a full life while serving Jehovah, attending Jazz concerts, knitting and crocheting, and travelling with her girlfriends.  She loved watching basketball and football on weekends with her sons.  Her favorite television shows were JEOPARDY and MONK.  She really loved whenever her children were going to be married so that she could do the Electric Slide at the receptions.  “Pink” was her favorite color and she would have on pink from her nail polish and lip stick to her pajamas and slippers.

After the passing of her late husband James Hugo Edwards in 1975 she later married another James, James Banks Sr.  They shared their lives together until his death.  Isabella leaves behind 6 children and their spouses, James Wayne Edwards (Donna); Ronald “Bee” Edwards; Gayle “Gigi” Edwards-Green (James); Bryan “Tony” Edwards (Loretta); Dorothy “Dottie” Edwards-Byrd (Maurice); and, Lyndon “Lyn” Edwards.  She is also survived by 2 nephews, Lyndon Chase and Jonathan Chase; many grandchildren; a host of great-grandchildren; and, one great-great-granddaughter. 

May she rest in peace until we meet again…

"Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street. She's the smell of certain foods you remember, flowers you pick, the freelance of life itself. She's the cool hand on your brow when you're not feeling well. She's your breath in the air on a cold winter's day. She is the sound of the rain that lulls you to sleep, she is the colors of a rainbow. Your Mother lives inside your laughter.
She's the place you came from, your first home, and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love, your first friend, even your first enemy, but nothing on earth can separate you, not time, not space...not even death." -unknown

So thankful that she was such a strong woman and great Mom - can't wait to see you again!  Love, your children 

A Note of Thanks and Acknowledgements
Thank you to the following friends for your beautiful floral arrangements and baskets.
Yvette and Morgan Allen, Tracie and Warren Edwards, Ty and Cheryl Johnson, Jan and Bill Scruggs, Joe and Kai Wilkins, Maurice “Reese” Byrd, Al and Marion Beverly, Marcia and Mike Canada, Goodie and Harry, CBRE/GSK Account and George Mason University Patriot Club

Isabella’s family would like to express our sincere gratitude and love to all for sharing in our sorrow.  Your calls, cards, texts, plants, floral arrangements and many comforting messages of support and encouragement will never be forgotten.  May Jehovah bless the “spirit you show.”  (Philippians 4:23)
Due to the current COVID restrictions the family will hold a Virtual Service via ZOOM. 
We will hold an in-person celebration of her life at a later date.

POEMS AND LETTERS FROM YOUR CHILDREN

GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN

Dear Grammy, 

Although you are no longer here in the physical form, you will always be here in spirit. 
You are the Pillar and Matriarch of the Edwards family.  It’s because of you that we all exist.  I am so fortunate to have had you in my life. You taught me so much and loved me so much.  You made me feel special, the way your face would light up every time I saw you.  Raising 8 children, and helping raise 15 grandchildren, I don’t know how you did it.  Now your grandchildren have children, and even some of their children have children.  You are responsible for so many generations.  I’m so glad my daughter (Sanayah) got to meet you and spend time with you and be anointed with your love.

You mean so much to so many people.  So, you see Grammy, you could never be gone.  I see you all time.  I see your strength when I see my Uncle Wayne.  I see your poise when I see my Uncle Bryan.  I see your wisdom when I see my Uncle Bee, I see your loyalty every time I see pictures of my Uncle Tee, I see your creativity when I see my Uncle Lyn, I see you grace when I see my Aunt Gigi, and I see your love when I see my Muma (Dorothy). 

I see your leadership when I see my Cousin Kelly, I see your sincerity when I see my Cousin Kaycee, I see your friendship when I see my Cousin Dwayne,  I see your ambition when I see my Cousin Jermaine,  I see your smile when I see my Cousin Janae, I see your organization when I see my Cousin Janeen,  I see your intelligence when I see my Cousin Angie,  I see you charm when I see my Cousin Dawn, I see your kindness when I see my Cousin Ron, I see your sense of humor when I see my Cousin Terri, I see your wit when I see my Cousin Brian, I see your passion when I see my Cousin Lyn , I see your companionship when I see my Cousin Mimi, I see your compassion when I see my Cousin Tyesha, I see the future when I see my Daughter (Sanayah), as well as all your other Grandchildren, and when I look in the mirror, I see my Grammy.

I could write a book on how much I love you.  I have so many great memories of you.  You taught me how to make pancakes in all kinds of shapes, protein shakes, the best grilled cheese, oh and I can’t forget the famous French toast with jelly!!! You played board games with me, cards, had snow ball fights, made snow angels, and you always kept my mind stimulated.  But, most of all, you taught each of us the definition of faith, family and love, and for that I will be forever grateful.  You are truly a precious gift from GOD. There is no joy without pain, there is no life without death, and there would be no Me if there was no You.  You will always be my Grammy.  I love you so much with all my heart and I always will.  Until we reunite…

                     Your Nugget

A LETTER FROM SANAYAH

Dear Grandma,
She was great from the beginning all the way to the end. She would never complain about anything. She would never ask for anything, but she would constantly give us everything. She gave us laughter, she gave us tears, she gave us happiness. And most of all, she gave us love. She is the reason why our family is as big as it is. She is the reason why we have so many Uncles, and Aunties, brothers and sisters, and Cousins that love and support each other. She is the reason why we are all alive. And for that, we owe everything to her. She was a very spiritual woman, who gave all of her thanks to God. Who loved God, who believed in God, and who trusted God.  So, we all know, she is with God right now, and she's always been with him. And she's always known it.  So, let us thank God for this special woman. Thank him for all the laughter she gave us, all the tears she brought to our eyes, and all the happiness in our souls. Because our family would have never been the same without her. We wouldn't have a family without her. So even though she is not with us physically, she will continue to live in us spiritually. We love her, and we thank her, and we will all miss her forever.
To my Great Grandma, who has always been great!
- Sanayah

Dear Mommy, how can I find the words to thank you for all the sacrifices you’ve made for all of us.  I can remember the countless times you put our needs before yours.  How we thought you really liked “chicken backs” not realizing you wanted your children to be properly fed.  I can’t put into words how much I love and miss you already.  As a child you taught me how to be a respectable young lady.  Sometimes I couldn’t appreciate what you were teaching me then, but as I have grown into a woman I realize how you molded me and how you influence most of my decisions today.  All your life you’ve been thoughtful and caring and it always came so naturally.  As a Mother you have allowed me to share those same qualities with my son (Nugget) and my Granddaughter (Sanayah), and for that, I’m forever grateful.   Thanks for bringing so much happiness to our lives.  Although I’ll miss seeing your beautiful smile and hearing your gentle voice, you will always be in my heart.❤️  Mommy I’m waiting to see you in my dreams again. Loving you forever, your baby girl!

-Dottie

A POEM FROM KAYCEE

“SHE”
By Kaycee Corsini

She was sweet.  She was kind.
She was thoughtful. She was devout.
She was strong.  She was stern.
She was humble.  She was gentle.
She was understanding.  She was comforting
She was intelligent.  She was clever.
She was wise.  She was witty.
She was grace.  She was beauty.
She was practical.  She was perceptive.
She was sincere.  She was sophisticated.
She was a wife.  She was a daughter. 
She was a sister. She was a friend.
She was a mother.  She was a grandmother.
She is not gone.  She lives in all of us.
She was loved…and she loved.

We will miss you Grandma.  Love you forever.