Mr. Arnold Lee Banks, age 76 of Ellijay, Georgia, passed away peacefully Monday, June 6, 2022, at Piedmont Mountainside hospital of Ellijay Georgia surrounded by family and friends.

Arnold was born in Gilmer County August 30, 1945, or August 31,1945 according to which documents you were looking at. One said 8/30/1945 and one said 8/31/1945. It was always a joke in the family it took a day for it to get recorded at the courthouse.

Arnold was Born to Dennis H. Banks and Ola Sanford Banks. He had many jobs in his life one he is most remembered by was custodian and bus driver at Ellijay Elementary School   in the 1970's.

Arnold was a member of Flat Branch Baptist Church.  He was proceeded in death by his wife Margaret May Banks, father Dennis Banks, Mother Ola Banks, and brother Donnie Banks.

Survivors include Children sons: John(Regina) Banks  of Jasper, Lee Pierce (fiancée Rhonda Kendall) of Ellijay, Shannon (Lauree) Pierce of Ellijay,

Daughters : Melissa (Gary) Tinnell  of Ellijay, Linda (Johnny) Burnette  of Ellijay, and Staci (Greg) McClure of Ellijay. Special friend Rhonda Doss.

Brothers: JT Banks of Dalton, DL (Wilma) Banks of Ellijay, Sisters: Virginia (Jackie) Wyatt of Chatsworth, and Margaret (Johnny) Weathers of Dalton.

Grandchildren:    Mason and Rachel Banks, Derek Burnette, Brooke Padgett, Kyle (Bryant) Hester, Alec and Luke McClure, Candice (Josh) Chancey, Jacob Pierce (Elizabeth Teague), Heather Pierce, Mandy (Josh) Bryant, Will Ward (Kennedi), Margaret (Maggie) Pierce (fiancée Kyle Rhinehard) and Honorary grandchildren Mekayla (Isaac) Chastain, and Ashley Alvarado. Arnold was blessed with several great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. He loved to be around children and did not meet a stranger.

Family will receive friends at 3:00 pm Saturday June 11,2022 until 8:00 pm. Services will be Sunday June 12,2022 at 3 pm at the Bernhardt Chapel. Reverend Adam Banks and Billy Dotson Officiating and Johnny Weathers leading a prayer.  Angela Banks Miller will sing. Burial will be at Pleasant Grove Church next to his wife Margaret.

Pallbearers will be Mason Banks, Derek Burnett, Kyle Hester, Luke McClure, Will Ward and Jacob Pierce. Honorary Pallbearers include: Newell May and Greg McClure.

Family requests no food, but flowers and a donation to Pleasant Grove Cemetery fund is accepted in honor of Arnold Banks.

Bernhardt Funeral Home of Ellijay is in charge of the arrangements.