Mrs. Pat Wynell Banks-White was born on August 21, 1943, in Americus, Georgia, to

the late Carrie Mae Ross Bell. She was born and raised in Americus by her

grandparents Johnnie and Molly Bell, where she spent her early years surrounded by

family and community. While growing up in Georgia, she often shared stories about

working in the cotton fields, where she learned the value of hard work and earning an

honest living at an early age. Those experiences helped shape the strong, determined,

and resilient woman she would become.

In 1965, Mrs. Pat relocated to Miami, Florida with her two oldest daughters, beginning a

new chapter of life while building a loving for her family. After settling in Miami, she met

Mr. Eddie White, whom she affectionately called “Slim.”, from that union, she later

welcomed her youngest daughter, Takara, better known to many as “Cora” completing

the circle of her beloved daughters.

In 1971, she began working for Miami-Dade County Public Schools as a cafeteria

worker at West Little River Elementary School. Mrs. Pat was a faithful and dedicated

employee who served students and staff with kindness and commitment until her

retirement. During her years there, she formed friendships that grew into lifelong family

bonds. While working for the school board, she also devoted many years of service to

United Cerebral Palsy, continuing her mission of helping others.

Mrs. Pat’s love for people shined brightly in every room she entered. With her beautiful

smile, warm spirit, joyful sense of humor, and vibrant personality, she left a lasting

impression on everyone she met. She had a special way about herself; spicy yet sweet,

bringing both bold honesty and heartfelt kindness that made people feel seen,

welcomed, and loved.

Mrs. Pat’s love for people shined brightly in every room she entered. Her beautiful

smile, warm spirit, joyful sense of humor, and vibrant personality left lasting impressions

on everyone she met.

Her greatest joy was always her family. She loved spending time with her children,

raising her grandchildren, and later helping care for her great-granddaughters.

Affectionately called “Nana,” she was a source of love, comfort, and guidance to her

family and to many others. To those in her community, she was also known as the

neighborhood “Mama Pat”, “Goddie and Ms. Pat,” a loving presence to countless people

who cherished her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her loving mother, Carrie Mae Ross Bell, and her brother

William Ross.

Mrs. Pat leaves to cherish her precious memories her devoted husband of over 41

years, Eddie White, Sr.; her beloved daughters Deborah (Jeffrey, Sr.), Tammy (Billy),

and Takara “Cora” (Patrick, Sr); her sisters Rudine Harris of Americus, Georgia, and

Mary Georges of Alabama.

She also leaves her cherished grandchildren Monique (Ahmad), Jeffrey, Jr., Devon,

Darius, Patrick, Jr. “PJ,” and Phaedra “Bay Bay”; her precious great-granddaughters

Akiyah and Aniyah Wilson; and honorary grandchildren Quentin “Puncho,” Skylar, and

Zariah.

Mrs. Pat also leaves to cherish her memory her stepchildren Rev. Frankie White

(Helen), Russell “Leon”, Stanley (Edna), Roderick (Henrietta), and Shanekwa “Nikki”;

along with a host of step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.

She will also be deeply missed by her loving godchildren Jennifer Ross, Sandra

Summerset, Glenda King(Henry), Juanita Cray, Da’Jah Cray, Jennifer Lewis and Lisa

Williamson; her beloved Nana’s Village family Donna Cordeno and Nurse Erna; special

friends Ms. Norma and Ms. Mildred; 2 nd Ave family The Raphael and St. Jean Family,

along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, neighbors,

and friends who loved her dearly.

Mrs. Pat Wynell Banks-White will always be remembered for her deep love, joyful

laughter, gentle compassion, and the warmth she brought into the lives of so many. The

beautiful legacy she leaves behind—one of kindness, strength, and unwavering

devotion to her family—will continue to live on in the hearts and memories of all who

knew and loved her.