Sue Humpston Banks

Sue Humpston Banks, age 79, passed on October 13, 2025 in Asheville, North Carolina. Sue was born April 4, 1946 to Joe Witt Humpston and Margaret Elizabeth Mottern Humpston of Jonesborough, Tennessee. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of fifty-three years, John Harvey Banks; sister, Judy Humpston Pridgen; and brother, Charles Allan Humpston.

Sue is survived by her brother, Kevin Joe Humpston of McClellanville, South Carolina; her children; son, Aaron Thomas Banks (Deanna); and granddaughters Catelyn E. Banks and Zoe K. Banks of Asheville, North Carolina; and daughter, Margaret Elizabeth Banks (Doug) of Townsend, Georgia.

Sue was a graduate of Jonesborough High School and East Tennessee State University. Mrs. Banks was a lifelong educator and retired from Asheville Catholic School in 2006 to spend more time traveling with her family and watching her granddaughters grow into amazing young ladies. She was an avid reader and enjoyed listening to music, or going to concerts with her family. Sue’s “Perfect Day” was spent in Venice, Italy with John during the Summer of 1969. She said, “Even now I think it was the perfect day(s). So magical. Many, many years later I read Pat Conroy’s ‘Beach Music’. I remember a conversation between Jack, the main character, and a long-time friend of his, Ledare, about Venice: ‘They built this city so you’d never want to leave, didn’t they, Jack?’ ‘No,’ he said. ‘I think they are nicer than that. They built it so you’d always have something to dream about.’ ”. Now we can dream of Sue and John drifting contentedly through the canals of Venice as the warm, afternoon sun reflects off of the water on their smiling faces.

A memorial / celebration of life will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville (1 Edwin Place, Asheville, NC 28801) on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 2:00 pm. Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Make-A-Wish Foundation: Central & Western North Carolina
6324 Fairview Rd., Suite 500,
Charlotte, NC 28210
877-677-9474
https://secure2.wish.org/site/SPageNavigator/dfr_landing.html?chid=047-000

OR

Alzheimers Association-Western North Carolina Chapter:
225 North Michigan Ave., Floor 17,
Chicago, IL 60601
800-272-3900; https://www.alz.org/northcarolina