Lee Banks Lakeland - Lee Banks, 80, passed away November 4, 2019.

Lee was born in Bowen, KY on December 10, 1938. He moved to Lakeland from Ohio 54 years ago. He was a Store Manager for Sears Roebuck & Company, and enjoyed fishing, golf, card games, cooking and handy work. Lee was a member of Landmark Baptist Church in Haines City. In his later years, Lee was affectionately known as "Papa Lee". He was an encourager who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he met. He chose to be positive no matter what the circumstances - viewing each day as a "beautiful day".

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan Banks and Myrtle Phipps; brother, Taylor Goebel Banks; sister, Almbzettia B. Rigsby. He is survived by his sister, Sonia Ann Lewis of Jeffersonville, KY; son, Mark (Sharon) Banks of Prince George, VA; daughters, Kim Banks of Middletown, OH, Lori Smith of Gainesville, GA and Betsy (Brian) Martin of Gainesville, GA; stepdaughter, Robyn Bryant of Lakeland, FL, stepsons, Chris (Tami) Rodems of Orlando, FL and Joey (Lily) Rodems of Wesley Chapel, FL; granddaughters, Kelly Banks Dixson of Bartow, FL, Jennifer Stogsdill of Middletown, OH, Jackie Smith of Gainesville, GA, Amber Lang of Lakeland, FL, Gabby Rodems of Wesley Chapel, FL, Olivia Rodems of Wesley Chapel, FL and Isabela Rodems of Wesley Chapel, FL; grandsons, John Banks of Hamilton, OH, Harry Stogsdill of Middletown, OH, Bishop Martin of Gainesville, GA, Nicholas Rodems of Orlando, FL, Jacob Rodems of Wesley Chapel, FL and Michael Rodems of Wesley Chapel, FL; great grandchildren, Thomas Caban of Bartow, FL, Kayla Caban of Bartow, FL, Ryan Dixson of Bartow, FL, Jayna Banks of Hamilton, OH, Gaven Lee Hall of Middletown, OH, Isabelle Stogsdill of Middletown, OH, Emily Armbruster of Middletown, OH and Gideon Lang of Lakeland, FL.

Visitation will be Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 10-11 am at Landmark Baptist Church, 2020 Hinson Ave. Haines City, FL 33844. Funeral services will follow on Saturday at 11 am at the church. Flower deliveries for the services can be made to Gentry Morrison Southside Chapel, 1727 Bartow Road Lakeland, FL 33801 on Friday November 8, 2019.