Funeral Service for Ora Madeline Newman Banks, age 95, of Brownwood, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at Blaylock Funeral Home Chapel with Bill Slaymaker officiating; burial will follow at Rochelle Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m. prior to services. Arrangements are under the direction of Blaylock Funeral Home of Brownwood.

Ora Madeline passed away Monday, July 11, 2016, at a local nursing home.

Ora Madeline was born to James Lenzy and Serena (Britt) Newman on October 23, 1920, in Hood County. She attended schools in Ft. Worth, Melvin, Placid, and Rochelle.

She married the love of her life, Leland Ward Banks, on January 29, 1939 in Mercury. Ora retired from Rochelle Independent School, where she and Leland both worked. She was a member of Mercury Baptist Church, then Rochelle Baptist Church before moving to Brownwood in 1998. Ora Madeline and Leland joined Victory Baptist Church after moving to Brownwood.

Ora Madeline is survived by her children, Angela (Banks) Ham and husband C.T., Lynn Ward Banks and wife Sharon, John Wayne Banks and wife Sandra, David Newman Banks and wife Arlene; 11 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and some great-great-grandchildren; and 1 brother, John W. Newman. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Leland Banks, who passed away in March 2011; a son, William Henry “Bill” Banks and his wife Millie Banks; her parents, James and Serena Newman; 2 sisters, Mae Ella Rawls and Martha Nell Banks; 1 brother, Pascall Newman; grandchildren, Frankie Banks and Deloris Ham Beene; daughter-in-law, Rosalie Banks; and former-daughter-in-law, Peggy Banks.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Rochelle Cemetery Association. Online condolences for the family are welcome at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com.