Obituary

Chiquita Banks was born January 7, 1970 in Brooklyn, New York to Arthur Banks and Elizabeth Johnson Banks.

Chiquita attended Buckingham County Public Schools and graduated from Buckingham High School in 1988. She received her associate's degree in applied science, specializing in the education of children with disabilities.

Chiquita's faith was an integral part of her life. She consistently attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses and was a devoted member of her Christian community. Her favorite pastimes included cooking, shopping, listening to music, each of which she embraced with joy and enthusiasm. She loved to watch her family, and friends enjoy eating honeybun cakes, sweet potato pies, lasagna, baked spaghetti, and upside-down pineapple cakes with cherries on top. Her love for shopping on the HSN channel brought her much joy as she loved to dress up and wear her fashionable clothes and jewelry. She enjoyed large family gatherings. That included eating out at restaurants and traveling to shop at malls in other states. She spent her free time listening to music and watching cooking shows on TV to get new ideas for her recipes. She also loved getting her nails done by Pamela Morris.

Chiquita was also blessed with a loving relationship with Archie Giles, her spouse, whom she married in 1992, and her second husband, Henry Deane, whom she married in 2014. Her memory will continue to be cherished by all of them.

More than anything, Chiquita will be remembered for her absolute dedication to children with learning disabilities. She had a unique talent for working with these children; her passion for their care, happiness, and the relationships she built with their parents was unmatched. It's that bright flame of compassion that made her a beacon in the lives of many.

Chiquita was diagnosed in 2024 with a rare cancer, (metastasizing solitary fibrous tumor). She underwent chemotherapy for nine months, but it was unsuccessful. Her health began to decline rapidly when she was admitted to Johnston Willis Hospital. They provided end of life comfort measures for her until she was called home on September 7, 2025. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow over the unexpected passing of our beloved Chiquita as she touched many lives and was known for her cheerful personality and contagious happiness.

Chiquita was predeceased by her father, Arthur Banks Sr., brother Arthur Banks Jr., uncle, John Banks; aunt, Frances DeBarross, and her grandmothers, Martha Trent-Banks and Rose Johnson-Smith.

She is lovingly remembered by her family, including her mother, Elizabeth Banks; Sisters, Elizabeth Perkins and Carrie Banks Garvin (McKinley), and her precious daughter, Tiffany Chiquita Giles. Nieces, Delorias Perkins, and great niece Sapphire Keeling-Banks and nephews, K. J. Perkins (Kelsey Johnson) and Ricky Banks, and great nephew Kage Perkins; aunts, Sarah Woodson, Edna Poindexter, Annie Campbell, Bertha Campbell, Sarah Smith Henry, and Rose Smith; stepchildren, Christopher Deane and Chelsea Deane.

She was a delightful source of love, happiness, and encouragement to all who knew her. The void left by her loss is immense and is deeply felt by all those she left behind. Her smile, her laughter, and her kind heart will be missed, but her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.

Acknowledgments

The Banks, Giles, and Deane family would like to extend thanks for all your expressions of love, comfort and support during our loved one's illness and passing is greatly appreciated. May God's love be yours to share.