Elaine Jones Banks, cherished wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully at her home on February 19, 2020, at the age of 90 years old. Elaine was born on June 1, 1929, in Spanish Fork, Utah, to Ora William and Vera Dearing Jones. She was the oldest of seven siblings, six sisters and one brother. Elaine’s mother passed away while she was very young and she quickly had to take on lots of responsibilities. But, she always kept her positive attitude, sense of fun and mischief, and most of all, her genuine compassion for others.

She graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1947. Elaine had caught the eye of George Banks and their first date was to the FFA Senior Ball. They quickly fell in love and she and George were married on September 29, 1948 in the Salt Lake Temple. They have four sons and one daughter. Her sweetheart, George; her children and grandchildren are truly her pride and joy.

Elaine was extremely talented and there didn’t seem to be anything she couldn’t do. Some of her many talents included oil painting, crocheting, quilting, needlework, gardening, baking, and sewing. She always used her talents to bless the lives of others and shared her knowledge and skills with so many. As a 4-H leader for over 30 years, she taught dozens of young girls how to sew, often filling her entire house with sewing machines at every outlet. She and George started the Palmyra 4-H Livestock Club together as well as the Palmyra Stock Show which still runs today. Leading and serving youth in 4-H was a big part of their lives. The Banks family was honored as the Utah 4-H Family of the Year in 1987.

Elaine had several jobs in her younger years but spent most of her working years as a school lunch lady and her family benefited from her baking skills at home, as well. She was a beautiful singer and sang in her ward choir starting at age 14, the Choralettes, and the Singing Mothers. Elaine enjoyed dancing very much and for several years she and George participated in a square-dancing group in town. She was very social and enjoyed being with friends. She and George were part of “club” where along with seven other couples, they met monthly taking turns at each other’s homes for a meal and playing card games. Elaine also enjoyed camping, reading, and taking trips with either 4-H youth or her family. She was a wonderful and resourceful homemaker who made all who entered their home feel loved and welcome. Elaine was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many callings in Relief Society, Young Womens, Primary, and Sunday School.

Elaine is survived by her sisters, Nancy Simmons and Peggy Haderlie, both of Springville, as well as her children: Steven (Christie) Banks of Agoura, CA, Larry (Ann) Banks of Palmyra, Jeff (Patty) Banks of Nephi, Sterling (MaryAnn) Banks of Oak City, and Julie (Jeff) Peery of Spanish Fork. She has seventeen grandchildren and forty-one great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her sweetheart, George Edward Banks; mother, Vera Vivian Dearing; father, Ora William Jones; stepmother, Faye Neal Jones; and siblings: Joyce, Mary, Richard “Dick” and Barbara Ann.

Elaine’s children wish to express their heartfelt gratitude for the nurses and staff from Hearts for Hospice that served their “sweet and spunky” mom for the past several months. The genuine care and kindness shown meant so much to Elaine and to her family.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 24, at 11:00 a.m. in the Palmyra Ward Chapel,1866 West 5000 South, Spanish Fork, Utah. There will be a visitation for family and friends on Sunday evening, from 5-7 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home, Spanish Fork. Also, there will be a visitation, on Monday morning, at the church, from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment at Spanish Fork City Cemetery.