Rilla Faye Whitlock-Banks, age 87 of Statham, passed away on August 25, 2023. Faye was a lifelong resident of Statham. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church for over a decade. She loved going to church and attending Gospel singings. Family was very important to her and she loved looking after her family and hosting them during special occasions and holidays. Mrs. Faye worked at Bi-Lo grocery store for over 32 years and retired in the early 2000s. She volunteered at the Winder hospital every Wednesday for more than ten years.

Mrs. Faye was preceded in death by her parents: Reba "Lucille" Porter and Dessie L. Baker; her son, Tony Johnson; brother, Perry Baker and her great-grandson, Michael Mathis. She is survived by her husband John Tate Banks; children: Mike Johnson of Winder, Michelle (Jody) Seawright of Statham and Terri Jones of Statham, Cindy Ensley & Evans, Chris Banks & Shannon; brothers: Robert Baker of Winder, Jack (Pat) Baker of Atlanta, and of Statham; sisters: Inez Gilreath and Diane (Ron) Ratliff; 18 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren:

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday evening, August 28, from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home, 755 Atlanta Hwy SE, in Winder. The funeral service will be in Smith Memory Chapel on Tuesday, August 29 at 4:00 pm with Rev. Matt Dibler officiating. The burial will follow at Barrow Memorial Gardens.

Arrangements by Ponders Melrose Chapel, 138 Melrose Drive, Dalton, Georgia, 30721, 706.226.4002www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org and www.ogr.org.