Dennis Turner Banks

Obituary Deacon Dennis Turner Banks, at the age of sixty-nine (69), passed away January 5, 2024 at Manokin Nursing Rehab in Princess Anne, MD. Dennis, affectionately known as Turner, was born to Dennis and Christine Banks November 11, 1954 in Salisbury, MD. Dennis was raised in the Bivalve/Jesterville, MD area where he received his early education in the Wicomico County school system, graduating high school in 1973 from James M. Bennett Senior High. Dennis decided to further his education by attending the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, MD from 1973-1976, majoring in Chemistry and Agriculture. Dennis completed his internship for forestry in 18 months in New Mexico. Dennis was employed at Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover, MD as a Correctional Dietary Officer until he medically retired in 2000. Prior to his employment at ECI, Dennis was a farmer and a watermen following in his father’s footsteps as listed in a 1972 edition of Ebony magazine article entitled “A Black Farmers Fight for Survival.” While working at ECI, Dennis met and married Theresa Gibbs in November of 1995. During this union, he gained two bonus children, Keisha and Marcus Gibbs, along with Denise Chesnutt and Jonathan Banks. He called the four of them “his bunch.” Extending from “his bunch,” he gained the loves of his life, “the grands”: Whitney Minns, Ja’Qwuan Cottman, Shane Chesnutt, Ryan Chesnutt, Krystiana Gibbs, Evan Chesnutt, Ayden Gibbs, Tymar Roberson, Kaylani Gibbs, Liam Chesnutt and Amara Gibbs. Dennis was a long time member of Elsey United Methodist Church of Jesterville, MD. He later joined United Church of Firstborn in Salisbury, MD, where he served faithfully in various ministries until his health no longer permitted. Dennis’s hobbies and past times included fishing, listening to music, cooking and his most favorite thing was visiting and playing with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Dennis Turner Banks is survived by: his wife of twenty-eight (28) years, Theresa Banks; two biological children Denise Chesnutt (Christopher) and Jonathan Banks; two bonus children Keisha and Marcus Gibbs; eleven grandchildren and one fur baby Noah. He also leaves to mourn: a sister, Michelle Miles (daughters Eugenia and Melodie); brother, Livingston Banks (Christine) and (daughters Danielle and Madison); sisters Elder Sherleena Morris (Pastor Richard) and (daughter Elder Vanessa) and Rev. Dr. Yvonne Penn (daughter Princess); aunt, Mary Turner of Princess Anne, MD; nephews, Brian Barclay, Wallace Dashiell, Tico Barclay, Thoron Barclay, niece Michelle Sims and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Preceding Dennis in death are his parents Dennis Nicholas Banks and Christine Phyllis Banks, along with a brother Theodore Barclay and two nephews Theodore Barclay, Jr. and Thaddeus Barclay. Lovingly submitted ~ the family

Dennis Turner Banks

November 11, 1954 - January 5, 2024