July 9, 1924 ~ March 8, 2010

Phyllis Clark Banks, 85, of Pleasant Grove passed away March 8, 2010 at the American Fork Hospital.

She was born July 9, 1924 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Monroe Harrison and Josephine Owen Clark, growing up in Thatcher, Arizona where her father was president of the local college. She was always a very bright student and an involved participant in school activities. She served as a student body officer and graduated as the valedictorian of her senior class in 1942.

She completed two years at Gila Jr. College in Thatcher, graduating as the “most valuable student,” before enrolling at Brigham Young University where she earned a teaching degree in English, graduating cum laude in 1946.

On June 18, 1946, Phyllis married her high school sweetheart, Willis Merrill Banks, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple after his return from serving in Europe during World War II. Together they raised a family of four children, two boys and two girls.

In 1952 the family moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah where Willis had accepted a teaching position. Phyllis was an active member of the LDS Church and served in many positions, often associated with young adults, including teaching the Mia Maids and serving as Stake Age-Group Counselor in the YWMIA. She played the piano and participated in singing groups and was active in the local Cadmus Club.

In 1964, she was hired as the librarian and media specialist at Orem Jr. High School, opening and organizing the new library. She thoroughly enjoyed her 22 years there, and was one of the first to work with computers, cataloguing all of the books and introducing the new computer check-out system.

After retirement, she and Willis traveled the country in their motor home visiting family, or spent time at home working in their gardens and involved in church activities. Phyllis always especially enjoyed reading and spending time with her family.

Survivors include children, Linda Banks, Laguna Niguel, CA; Dr. Alan M. (Sharon)Banks, Highland; Dr. David C. (Shauna) Banks, Mesa, Arizona and Jolene Jenkins, Goodyear, Arizona; thirteen grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis, in 1998, her parents, a brother, Robert, and a sister, Colleen.

Funeral services will be held, Saturday, March 20th at 11:00 a.m. in the Timpanogos 3rd Ward Chapel, 520 N., 400 E., Pleasant Grove. A viewing will be held one hour prior to services on Saturday.  Burial will follow at the Pleasant Grove City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.olpinmortuary.com 

Condolences (3)

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Howard and Jodi Bezzant said:

Jolene and the rest of the family, we are sorry for the loss of your mother. Our hopes and prayers are in your behalf. May you be comforted and strengthened through your faith, the faith of others and the memory of a good mother who is now reunited with her loved ones. Sorry that previous commitments kept us from the funeral on Saturday.

March 22, 2010

tammy peterson-mangum said:

Mrs. Banks, what a wonderful person......she was the libraian at orem jr high, when i went to jr high in the late 70s. I had the great honor of being in the library for a hour a day helping her, whith checking in books etc.. she was wonderful to me and my friend.. we thought of her like a mom. and tried to keep in contact with her for many years after we left school..we loved her dearly! my condolences to her family. God Bless..Tammy

March 31, 2010

Kenneth Duvall said:

Sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom. May the Lord comfort you. Ken Duvall ( A Classmate, 1976)

April 18, 2010