Margaret "Belle" Pierce Banks

Mrs. Margaret Belle Pierce Banks, 92, of Huntersville, NC died Tuesday April 12, 2011 after a brief illness at her residence. Born August 1, 1918 to Mary Donaldson and Leslie Sherman Pierce in Coatesville, PA Mrs. Banks was predeceased by three sisters and two brothers. She was also predeceased by her husband of 56 years, Richard Torrance (Dick) Banks. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Banks Basinger and her husband Dale of Rockwell and by her son Richard Torrance Banks of Huntersville. She had five grandchildren, John Andrew Basinger, Robert Banks Basinger, Sarah Allison Banks, Dylan Torrance Banks and Caitlyn Vivian Banks and one great grandchild, Chayson Chaz Green. She is also left behind her dear dog, Maggie. Mrs. Banks was active in community and church affairs. She served two terms as PTA President of Huntersville Elementary School. She served in several capacities in womans activities in Huntersville Presbyterian Church, including Bible moderator and circle chairman. She was a member of the Democratic Womans Club. She served for 12 years as a commissioner on the Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation Board, earning the Order of the Hornet for her service. She was Chairman of the Board, Central Piedmont Community College during the organizational period leading to the establishment of the North Campus. She held several offices in the Huntersville Womans Club and was active in the Mecklenburg Historical Association. A dedicated history preservationist, she served for several years on the Board of the Hugh Torance House and Store restoration project. She and her husband devoted their lives to restoring Cedar Grove, the Torrance home place built in 1831. She was news editor and prize-winning columnist of the Mecklenburg Gazette for eight years prior to her employment with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Library for the following 14 years. She was a professional story-teller, participating for 12 years in the annual festival sponsored by the library and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg public school system. She led book review programs in several library branches and for various private clubs and organizations. As a public service she moderated quarterly book review programs in Davidson, under sponsorship of the Davidson Parks and Recreation Department. She also gave periodic book reviews at Rowan Public Library in Salisbury. Belle was especially proud to have founded, with her husband, the North Mecklenburg Community Chorus. The chorus, established more than 30 years ago, grew from just a few voices to one of close to 40. She and Dick performed with the chorus for many years. In recent years she enjoyed her escapades with her Red Hat group, her Wednesday Bridge game with her friends at Jetton Park, her church circle and small group at Huntersville Presbyterian Church and rummaging around at the local thrift and consignment shops. The family especially wants to thank Mothers friend and companion, Jill Crane, for the loving care she offered. Also a thank you to Barbara Barnes and Helen Coffin who always made sure Mother has a ride and to Faye Lewis who was her steadfast friend so many years. And a special thank you to Hospice workers Ben, Jill and Loretta. Visitation will be at the Huntersville Presbyterian Church at 1:00 pm Saturday April 16 followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Mrs. Banks memory to Hospice & Palliative Care Lake Norman, 705 Griffith Street, Suite 203, Davidson, NC 28036.