Cardell Lee Banks

Cardell Lee Banks, born May 29, 1943, to Cardell and Mary Frances Banks, passed from this life after a life devoted to faith, family, and service. He was a lifelong resident of Shawnee, OK and graduated from Shawnee High School in 1961.

Cardell was an accomplished athlete, playing varsity football and basketball and receiving the Athlete of the Year Award in 1961. He was later inducted into the Shawnee High School Basketball Hall of Fame. He also worked for Shawnee Mill for ten years before beginning a 34-year career with Oklahoma Natural Gas Company, where he advanced from laborer to supervisor before retiring in 2005.

In 1970, Cardell obeyed the Gospel and was baptized into the Lord’s Church by Brother Leroy Simon, Sr. He devoted much of his life to preaching and serving the Church of Christ. He ministered for 36 years with the Cedar Street Church of Christ in Wewoka, and later served as co-minister of a congregation in Hugo, Oklahoma, for six and a half years. Even after retiring from preaching, Cardell remained committed to his faith and continued trusting in the Lord.

Cardell was reunited in death with his loving wife, Brenda J. Banks, and his son, Maurick Genard Banks. He was also preceded in death by his mother and his brothers: James, Timothy, and Donald Banks, and Robert and Daniel Smith.

He leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Frances Banks; his children, Maury (Audrey), Mauren (Leslie), Stella Banks, David (Trudy) Smith, and Delpheia D. Smith, eldest brother, Charles Parker; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, bonus children, Dedlorn (Jessica) Sanders, Michelle (Edward) Jones, Dion Sanders, and Kenneth Sanders along with numerous relatives, brothers and sisters in Christ, friends, and loved ones.

Friends and loved ones may pay their respects on Sunday, September 20, 2026 at Riley-Walker Funeral Service during a time of viewing and visitation from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A Celebration of Life for Cardell L. Banks will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, September 21, 2026 at the Northridge Church of Christ in Shawnee, OK. Following the ceremony, he will be laid to rest next to his late wife at Fairview Cemetery. 

Cardell will be remembered for his faith in God, devotion to his family, love for the Church, and years of service preaching the Gospel. His life was a testimony of faithfulness, perseverance, and love.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7