Diana Lynn Banks-Joiner's Obituary
Diana Lynn Banks was born April 1, 1955, in Tutwiler, Mississippi, to
Maggie Banks and Ceotias Givens. As a young child, Diana; along with her mother
and siblings migrated to Jackson, Michigan, where she spent a significant amount of
time with her maternal grandparents, Embra and Minnie (Tutson) Banks.
Diana was introduced to the Lord at an early age. She attended Faith Temple and
Lily Missionary Baptist Church during her years in Michigan. In June of 1972, Diana
married Robert March, and to that union two children were born; Alan Banks and
Sharmika March (Ramon Hill). Some years later, Diana relocated to Chicago, Illinois
where she worked long hours to support her children at Scholle’s Corporation.
In 1988, Diana (along with her long term partner, William Joiner) returned to Jackson,
Michigan, and eventually married in March of 1992. To that union are seven adopted
children; Lunya, Maurice, Deontae, Tasha, and Shavontae Cosey-Banks and Albert
and Krystal Hill-Banks. As well as two step children; Martell Williams and Jamelia
Pierce. Diana was always known to have countless other children in her home;
related and unrelated, including special nephews Terry and Martel Reddick. She
positively touched everyone she met.
Diana started a new journey that we all must take alone in the early afternoon of
January 28, 2020. She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents; Embra
and Minnie (Tutson) Banks, paternal grandparents; Brank and Annie Belle Givens,
mother; Maggie (Floyd) Johnson, maternal aunts; Laura Banks and Sarah Scott,
paternal aunts; Vera Thompson and Della Starnes, maternal uncle; Sam Thomas,
paternal uncles; Albert, Levi, Cedell and Nathaniel Givens, sister; Lucy Hill, nephews;
Aaron Dillard (aka Travis Hill); Marshawn Worthey, Bryce Givens and Marcel Hill,
husbands; Robert March and William Joiner; and a special friend, Celeste Landrum.
Diana is survived by her father and stepmother; Ceotias and Thelma Givens, maternal
siblings; Robert, Albert, Dinah, Brenda, and Herbert Hill, a special stepbrother;
Pastor Darius (Mia) Williams, paternal siblings; Cleotha (Beverly) Nickles, Steve
(Virginia) Givens, Donald (Donna) Givens; Craig (Tante) Givens; Erick (Angela)
Givens, Duane Givens, Annette Givens, and Michelle Atkinson, maternal aunts;
Minnie Johnson and Dorothy (Banks) Harrington, paternal aunts; Leola Boyd
and Annie Givens, maternal uncles; Embra (Laurel) Banks, Jr., and Barnie Banks,
paternal uncles; Phillip, Michael, Larry, Sylvester, and Verman Givens, children;
Alan Banks, Sharmika (Ramon Hill) March, Lunya, Maurice, Deontae, Tasha, and
Shavontae Cosey-Banks, Albert and Krystal Hill-Banks, stepchildren; Jamelia Pierce
and Martell Williams, grandchildren; Marquita, Desire, Alijah and Tierra Banks,
ShaTai and TyKyRri Brown, Ramon Hill, Jr., Lamon Williams, Jr., Jamir and Jamaal
(Jr.) Hunt, Lataveon, Lariiah, Lauren, Avery, and Trayvon Cosey, Mason, Carter, Brandon, and Julian Hill, Jazzlyn Hubbard, Malachi Cosey, MagGinae Jackson,
AreVon Thomas, Tyzae Harris, Anajha and Ayeshaa Abdullah, Josiah and Shaun
(Jr.) Williams, great grandchildren; Julian, Keyon, Yodonis, Treniece, and Iyonna
Wrotten, Desmond Hall, Avionna Bell, London Hannah, Millan Gibson, ShaTai (Jr.),
Quade, and Aunceo Brown, Sarai Pierce, a special friend Harland Jewell, and a host
of extended family members and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Diana?
What’s a lesson you learned from Diana?
Share a story where Diana's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Diana you’ll never forget.
How did Diana make you smile?