Jannie Banks Grier

The beautiful Jannie Banks Grier affectionally known to everyone as “Mommy” was born April 3, 1938 to the late Rev Leon Banks & Lillie Ray in Bamberg, SC. Her and her brothers and sisters sang in the choir. As a sharecropper's daughter she was proud to be a country girl and help run the family store. As the baby of the bunch, she knew every trick in the book to get out of farm chores and would often tell the most hilarious stories. In her late teens she moved to Charlotte NC and married the late Odell Grier II aka “Jr” a talented musician who played with all the greats. (Ike & Tina, The Isley Brothers and Joe Tex just to name a few) They both shared a love of music and dance. As a stylish dresser she would sometimes join him at gigs and end up stealing the show. Her husband kept his pretty lady at arm's length and would often hear how beautiful his wife was. They went on to have 10 beautiful children together, (six girls and four boys). Her country girl skills immediately shined as she stepped into her role as matriarch. Our beloved Mommy loved her family dearly. She enjoyed sewing and cooking delicious homemade meals. With 10 kids there was never a dull moment and never a speck of dust in sight. She had to run a tight shift with 10 little ones. She was one of the most organized, neat and clean people one would ever meet. As a very picky eater, she was very specific about which brand of anything she sent you to pick up from the store, so you better remember exactly what she said. We are convinced she kept Scott, Uncle Ben, Quaker and Tide in business. lol. Mommy could talk for hours and have everyone smiling and laughing. She would leave you in awe of her old school wisdom, wit and sense of humor. We often told her she should’ve been a comedian. She was an extremely bright light that never dimmed. If you needed advice, she was always willing to listen and never told you what you wanted to hear but what you needed to hear. She was truly one of a kind. The only thing that outshined her beauty was her strength. As a widow she raised 10 children, grandkids and great grands in her home over decades. A few of her favorite sayings were. “Want for your brother what you want for yourself” and “If I can’t help somebody, I sure won’t hurt them.” She always ended a conversation with “if it’s God’s will I will talk to you tomorrow” it was never goodbye always. I’ll see you later. Whenever anyone said I love you, she’d look you in the eye and said I love you more and if you were on the phone with her, even though you couldn’t see her looking at you. You felt the deep warmth in your soul of her soft voice saying, I love you more. Jannie Banks Grier departed this life on Friday June 13, 2025 peacefully in her sleep. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, sisters and grandson Anthony Haley. She leaves to cherish her memories 10 children all of Charlotte, NC Linda Cureton, Wayne Grier, Odetta Mauney, Odell Grier III, Calvin Grier (Rhonda), Janice Grier, Arabia Leighton (Dale) , Angela Smith (George), Sharon Morrison , Tony Grier (Iris) A host of grandchildren, great-grands, great -great grands and great-great- great grands. Family and friends in North Carolina, South Carolina and New York.

Jannie Banks Grier

April 3, 1938 - June 13, 2025