Mary Banks

Mary Ann Banks of Ft. Washington, Maryland passed away surrounded by her loving family on 11 August 2025.

She was born on January 18, 1958, in Charlotte Court House, Virginia to William R. Venable, Sr., and Mary Magdalene Copeland.

Mary spent most of her childhood in Alexandria, Virginia. As a child of a Military Family, Mary attended schools in Virginia and Germany where she graduated from Zwei Ruken High School in Germany. After High School, Mary joined the military (Army) as a Food Service Specialist.

Her first military duty assignment was right at home here in the DMV working at Arlington Hall Station, VA where she met her husband Ray Shaw Banks, Sr., and they married in 1979. Though they never had any children together Mary welcomed and was a loving bonus mother to Ray’s 3 children, Daughter: Shawn Banks, Son: (known as POPS) Ray S Banks, Jr., 2nd Son: (known as Lil Ray) Ray S Banks.

Mary served her country for 15 years (1977 – 1992) her dedication of service awarded her several, Army Commendations Medals, Army Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medals, Army Service and Overseas Ribbons, Southwest Asia Service Medals, 3 Bronze Star Medals, and a Kuwait Liberation Medal. She was loyal and faithful about the oath she took as a United States Soldier. Several of her family members saw the pride, dedication, and opportunities the military provided for her, so they followed suit and joined the military as well.

She was a leader and an influencer without even knowing it. Once she departed from the military Mary started working for INOVA Mount

Vernon Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia as a Chef for over 20 years. Mary was known for her cooking skills. Inspite of her illness she would prepare

meals for our family’s celebrations as well as provide recipes and instructions to friends and family how to make a dish that they were preparing.

She dedicated her life to the Lord as a young girl. Her faith is what kept her fight during her illness. She fought a good fight, and she is no longer in pain. Mary loved her family and friends very much! She would stand ten toes down about her “Dallas Cowboys” known as “Ann or Meatball” to the family; Oh yeah, all her Nieces’ were her pride and Joy and you all nieces know what you called her…. “BBJ” (lol).

Mary is predeceased by her mother, Mary Magdalene Walker, her brother William R. Venable, Jr., and her stepfather Rowland Walker.

She is survived by her father William R. Venable, Sr., her stepmother Florine Venable, her aunts LaVelma Myers and Minerva Venable, her sister Stasist (Lisa) Scott, her brother Anthony Donald, 4 Nephews, 9 Nieces, 8 great nephews, 5 great nieces, and a host of family she loved dearly.