Robert "Bobby" I. Banks, 77

CAMBRIDGE - Robert Isiah Banks, 77, passed away on Feb. 26, 2008 at Dorchester General Hospital.

He was born Dec. 5, 1930, son of the late William E. Banks and Lillie A. Banks.

He received his education and graduated from the Dorchester County Public School system. After graduating, Bobby enlisted in the U.S. Army on Jan. 14, 1948 at the age of 17. After completing basic training in San Antonio, Texas, he was sent to Honshu, Japan. His duties led him to fight in North Korea, where he was one of 500 infantrymen to be captured after holding them off for several days. He remained a prisoner of war for 232 months and 13 days before being released with the signing of the Armistice.

He received the following medals: Occupational Medal of Japan, Korean Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with Bronze Camp Stars.

Robert became a Christian and was reared in Bethel AME church by his mother and father. He attended Sunday School at the Rev. Baynum's church formerly located on Cross Stsreet.

After attending school for electrical studies in Philadelphia, Pa., Bobby later moved back to Cambrdige where he opened his own business and provided electrical and TV repair services throughout Dorchester County for more than 25 years. He was employed as a United Steel Worker at National Can formerly in Cambridge. Working beyond retirement age, after many years of service he retired from National Can United Steel Workers, located in Allentown, Pa.

He was joined in holy matrimony to Guinerevere Banks. From this union seven children were born.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years and eight children, Roberta Banks of Honshu, Japan, Robert B. Banks (Tymone) of Harrington, Del., Kevin Banks (Juanita), Egonya Jenkins, La-Shon Brooks (Delias), Janice Banks, Dontray Banks (Deanna) of Cambridge and Dwayne Banks (Angie) of Baltimore; a daughter-in-law, Marcia Banksof Dover, Del.; two sisters, Virginia Finney (Linwood) of Glassborough, N.J., Elizabeth Young of Camden, N.J.; two brothers, Leroy Banks of Cambridge and Lawrence Banks of Willingsboro, N.J.; a close brother-in-law, Bobby Waifer of Camden, N.J. He is also survived by 19 grandchildren, Robert R. Banks Jr. of India, Trabein Banks of Las Vegas, Nevada, Shameika Brooks, DeShon Jenkins, Kimberly Banks, Keisha Banks, Dallas Brooks II, Shabreia Banks and Jamal Banks, all of Cambridge, Kristian Melton of Smyrna, Del., Alex Banks and Raven Banks of Dover, Del., Ebony Banks, William Banks, Alisha Banks and Danielle Scott of Harrington, Del., Kevin Banks Jr., and Nicole Banksof Baltimore and Kenya Banks of Glen Burnie. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother, father and sisers, Pauline Waifer and Janet Banks; one brother, William Boddy; one grandson, who he helped raise, C. J. (Chalres E. Jenkins) and life brother, William Lewis.

Services will be held at noon on Saturday at Bethel AME church in Cambridge. A viewing will be held on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Bethel Church.

Arrangements are being handled by the Bennie Smith Funeral Home.