Karen Banks

The Life and Legacy of Karen Lee Banks Karen Lee Banks was born on a Thursday, February 21st, 1946, in Denver Colorado to her parents. Sylvia D. Tafoya, and Charles Benjamin Banks Jr. Karen was the 5th of 6 children born to this union, the second girl. Karen was a happy baby with thick dark curly hair. Her older brothers, Robert Rapue, Charles B. Banks IV, Leonard F. Banks, and her youngest brother Richard G. Banks shared a lifetime full of memories with her. As well as her older, and only sister Dolores (Charlene) Banks. Many times, shared with laughter, fun, mischief, and love. She was a classy young lady, with a passion for family. She received her formal education at Mitchell Elementary, Cole Junior High, and Manual High School, class of 1964. No matter where she went she’d let you know she was a Thunderbolt. She was proud of her school and went to all of her class reunions. Karen was the proud and loving mother of her one and only child, Philip C. Banks. She loved him more than anything. He was her pride and joy. Every time she saw him it was “give your mama a kiss.” She’d always brag to people about how her baby can sing. She had an unbelievable amount of unconditional love for her son. As well as for her only grandchild, Kourtney N. Banks. Who she loved more than anything. She went above and beyond for her granddaughter. She loved to show her off to everyone, and how her Kourtney was an artist. Every chance she got she’d show off the picture of Emmit Till and told the story of why Kourtney drew it. She also had her niece Krystel (Krissy) M. Banks-Thomas, and Krystel’s husband Andray (Dray) Thomas. Who she loved just as much. Anytime, any situation, she was there for her niece. She helped raised Krystel’s three children, Karen’s great nephews, Khalil (Khaleezee) S. Banks, and Jerrico (Jerri) K. Banks. As well as her great niece Kimora M. Banks-Thomas, as she would call her “Kimoroo.” They were all her angels, her babies, her kumquats. By profession, Karen was employed at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center, in the City Park West neighborhood of Denver, Colorado, as a nurse aid. She then became Nurse Unit Manager, at Denver General Hospital, better known today as Denver Health and Hospitals. Karen retired from Denver General in 2001. After leaving, she dedicated herself to being the best daughter, sister, mother, aunt, and grandmother she could be, and she was. Karen was a woman of faith. As a child she attended Annunciation Catholic Church and school, in Denver Co. She Accepted the Lord and was baptized. In her adult years she attended church at Cure d’Ards Church, in Denver, Colorado. Throughout her spiritual walk, regardless of the hardships she faced, she never lost her faith with God. Karen was a kind, loving, caring, humorous, generous, compassionate, fun, beautiful woman. In her free time, she enjoyed shopping, visiting with her childhood friends, the Coleman girls. Going for walks. Listening to music. Taking her babies to the park. If you knew Karen she was very social, and always ready for the gossip. She was the nicest person you could ever know, and everyone was her baby, her angel. Karen wanted to be remembered as a loving and dedicated, sister, mother, aunt and grandmother. Karen will be extremely missed by all who had the pleasure, and fortune of knowing her. Karen was preceded in death by her Mother, Sylvia D. Tafoya; father, Charles B. Banks, Jr.; step father, John B. Catalon; brothers, Robert Rapue (Bobby), and Charles Benjamin Banks III. (Sonny). Karen Lee Banks departed this life to the warm loving embrace of the Lord on July 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. She leaves to cherish her memory, her son Philip Charles Banks; her granddaughter, Kourtney N. Banks; her niece Krystel M. Banks-Thomas; her nephew Charles Benjamin Banks IV, and Elias Alaniz (Larry); her great-nephews, Khalil S. Banks, and Jerrico K. Banks; her great-niece, Kimora M. Banks-Thomas.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Visitation: 7/27/2018 at 9:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 7/27/2018 at 11:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO