Barbara Banks

June 20, 1935 - December 13, 2021

Barbara K. Banks age 86 of Woodland Road in Spruce Pine passed away Monday December 13, 2021 in the Johnson City Medical Center. Barbara was born in 1935 in Berlin, Germany and lived there while the city rebuilt itself. She was a Lufthansa ground stewardess at JFK in NYC where she met her husband, Jim Banks, an immigration officer from Marion NC. They retired to Mitchell county in 1984, where their daughter Monika Banks attended Mitchel High School, Mars Hill and Appalachian. Barbara quilted for years. She loved supporting local artists. She learned to basket weave and to make pottery. In the early 90’s she enrolled at Mayland. She continually grew throughout her life. She volunteered much of her time to the community. She was an avid everyday walker; rain, snow or sunshine. Barbara felt accepted and loved by her mountain community. She always felt she belonged here. Even though she had the opportunity to go back to Germany she chose to stay because of her love for the community and these mountains. She was a collector of people. She didn’t know a stranger and her positive attitude was contagious. She often said her southern accent was so deep it sounded German. Barbara taught her daughter brevity, ease, gumption, humor, strength beyond measure and laughter and Monika knows the one thing her mother would tell all of you—just smile. As a tribute to Barbara, there will be a gathering at Swiss Pine Lake on Monday, December 27th at 10am Dress warm and be ready to take a walk around the lake in remembrance of an incredible soul. Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Barbara Banks name and then you may sign her guestbook. Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Banks and is honored to be serving the Banks family. Mrs. Banks obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing.