Sandy Earl Banks was born to Sylvester David Banks and Pauline (Williams) Banks in Rockledge, Florida at Wuesthoff Hospital on February 26, 1958. He grew up in the little town of Merritt Island, FL, home of the Mustangs. He grew up in what is affectionately named "The Village", surrounded by people who became family. He loved sports. He had a passion for basketball that sent him to Wisconsin. Ultimately, his love, for the love of his life, Mary led him to the United States Air Force. He married his High School Sweetheart, Mary Sanders on May 3, 1979. From this union came 2 children: LaWanda and Joshua.

He retired honorably from the United States Air Force where he served in multiple capacities, in multiple military assignments. He was a devoted father and husband for more than 40 years. In 1987, while stationed at Izmir, Turkey under the flag of NATO, Sandy received Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. While stationed in Turkey, he received and accepted the call of God on his life. He and Mary would join multiple ministries prior to starting their own. Two ministries had a tremendous impact on Sandys life.

During the late 1980s they joined Word of Life, A Four-Square Ministry under the leadership of Pastor Jon & Helen Jenkins. In the 1990s he was introduced to the ministry of the late Pastor Greg Powe, who was the Founder and Senior Pastor of Revealing Truth Ministries in Tampa, FL. May 19, 1999, Sandy was ordained as a Minister of the Gospel after two years of Ministry Education Training at Revealing Truth Ministries. He served fourteen years under Pastor Powe, as a Deacon, Assistant Director of the Nursing Home Ministry, Childrens Ministry volunteer and a Home Cell-Group Leader/Bible Teacher.

In 2009 Sandy & Mary became Pastors Sandy & Mary Banks of Transforming Lives Christian Center. The vision God gave them consists of a church with more than 18,000 members. The goal being, to transform lives by breaking the chains of wickedness, setting the captives free and destroying spiritual, mental and physical enslaving yokes through the anointing of God and the power of his word. (Isaiah 58:6-8). Pastor worked diligently in the ministry. There are countless people to attest to the love and compassion of Pastor Banks.

Sandy fell in love with Mary at a young age and never looked back. He loved to make her happy. Daddy as he was known by his children could never say no to a request from his kids. Sandy the son, loved his Mother Dear so much he would drive I-4 to get to her often. Baby boy of the siblings could hang with every one of his siblings every day and be content. "Daddy Banks", as LaWandas girlfriends named him, loved each of them as if they were his own daughters. Pastor Sandy had a heart for people. Nicknamed, the "Grandmaster of texting", letting each person know they are loved just when they need it most.

The last 10 years he had a special place in his heart for his only grandchild; Lauren Kai. He loved hanging with the little girl whos first words were "Dandaddy." His heart was kind, compassionate and full of Gods love. No one could ever recall a time where he was angry before or after being saved.

Pastor Sandy was preceded in death by his maternal and paternal grandparents; and his beloved son, James Edward Grant III. He was the most caring and loving husband, father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and Pastor.

He is survived by the love of his life, Mary Banks; children, LaWanda Banks-Grant, Jermaine Joshua Banks, and Tennille Tatum; his mother, Pauline Banks; grandchild, Lauren Grant; siblings; Patricia Lattimore, Florine "Cherri" Washington (Paul), Sylvia Banks, David Banks (Geila), Lester Banks (Barbara), Maria "Ria" Banks; and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, church family and friends.

Visitation
Friday, September 2, 2022
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Aikens Funeral Home
2708 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd
Tampa, FL 33610

Funeral Service
Saturday, September 3, 2022
11:00 AM
Victory AME Church
5202 S. 86th Street
Tampa, fl 33619