Deborah V. Jester Banks

Debra Virginia Jester-Banks, daughter of the late Myles Berkley Lewis and Geraldine A. Jester was born on August 31, 1955, in Baltimore, Maryland. She peacefully departed this life after a brief illness on November 16, 2025.

Debra received her early education in the Baltimore City Public School System, graduating from Northwestern High School in 1973. During her time there, she participated in several school sports and sang in the high school choir. She later continued her education at Towson University.

From a young age, Debra attended church faithfully with her mother and family. She danced and sang for the Lord, helped her mother in the soup kitchen, and gave her life to Christ early in life. Debra was full of joy, often the life of every gathering. She loved to sing, dance, and celebrate life. Before becoming a mother, she cared for several pets and cherished her role as a Godmother.

In her early adulthood, Debra held many jobs before finding her calling in public service, dedicating her career to supporting the elderly, disabled, and handicapped. She worked with organizations such as HUD and NHP. During a workplace meeting, she met the maintenance supervisor who would later become the love of her life, Harry James Banks Sr. They began dating and were united in marriage on October 15, 1995. Harry preceded her in death.

After retiring, Debra embraced her most treasured roles: loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, caregiver, and devoted crafter. She launched a small business creating beautiful wreaths for every occasion, sewing and crocheting handmade pieces, and making masks during the pandemic. Debra was also known for her incredible cooking; anyone who visited could count on a warm meal and for some, a warm place to stay. Her most cherished tradition was cooking for Kwanzaa each January 1st. Family and friends would gather to burn burdens and then share a glorious meal to begin the new year with hope and unity. Debra welcomed everyone with open arms, making them feel comfortable, safe, and loved. Because of her generous heart, she mothered far more children than the ones she birthed, offering nourishment, guidance, and sometimes stern wisdom to all who sought her presence. She connected with people everywhere she went, at stores, in doctor’s offices, and even during hospital stays, many of whom became lifelong family.

Debra leaves to cherish her memory: Her loving children: Brianne James (Ricky), Aaron Banks, Candice Banks, Martika Cypress, Harry Banks (Tanya) and Nicole Banks Long (Stanley); Her godchildren: Christine Simms (Herman) and Tiffany Ford (Percy); Her sister: Helen Jester; Her grandchildren: Stanley Long, Erica Faulcon, Indyah Banks, Lamarcus Banks, KaiLynn Banks, KaRynn Banks, Bryson Reed, Ricky James III, Reese James, and Sawyer Banks; Along with a host of nieces, nephews, family members, friends, and all those who loved her dearly.

Debra’s legacy of love, warmth, compassion and unwavering strength will live on in every life she touched.