Mary Ann Banos passed away unexpectedly on December 18, 2022, at the age of 57, peacefully in her home. She is survived by her mother, Martha Archibald of Ennis, Texas; three brothers: Paul, John and Billy; along with a host of close friends including Cynthia, Jeanie, Sandra, Dana, Carolyn, Kim, Cobie and many others. She was preceded in death by her brother, Charles Banos.
She was born on April 22, 1965, to Carlos L. and Martha Jo (White) Banos in Miami, Florida. She lived in Georgia for her first few years and moved with her family to Texas at age 5 where she spent her childhood. She proudly graduated from Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts - Arts Magnet, Class of 1983. She obtained her Bachelors Degree from A&M Commerce and her Masters Degree from Amberton University. Mary became a Christian during her early childhood years and had shared this forever life-changing decision in many of her stories.
Mary worked as a financial aid counselor for Collin College for 26 years. Not only was she their biggest advocate, but she also helped hundreds of people fulfill their goals in life. She received several awards during her career at Collin College. After recently obtaining her Masters Degree, she was entertaining the opportunity of becoming a professor. She was very excited to start her first course towards her Doctorate Degree in January 2023.
Mary was happy, fulfilled and excited about what God was doing with her life! She was on the brink of adopting Lupita and Connie as her daughters, about which all were thrilled. They made her light shine like no other! She LOVED that she would officially be a mom and grandmother and felt a sense of completion. This is one of the many reasons Mary went into fostering teenage girls: to make an impact on their lives, bring love into their worlds and care for them as her own. She nurtured these girls and, through her giving spirit, she in return was nurtured.
Mary was full of love, encouragement and hope for the future. She motivated everyone around her to be their best and authored a book to reach a wider audience, which was her life goal...to be the "World's Encourager." Mary knew that encouraging words had power to transform lives and she lived that as her motto for life. She was one of a kind and no one will EVER take her place. She was warm, loving, compassionate, helpful, respectful and no words can accurately describe how greatly she is missed. All who knew Mary are feeling an enormous loss, but are grateful that God brought her into their lives. She touched so many people during her lifetime; we know her impact has made this world a better place.
A Celebration of Life for Mary will be held January 21, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Hope Fellowship Church, 1702 W. University Drive, McKinney, Texas 75069. We are honoring her life and celebrating her by wearing business casual attire in bright colors, her favorite colors being fuchsia, bright pinks and purples.
If you would like to send flowers, please send them to Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home at 2525 N. Central Expressway, Allen, Texas 75013, to arrive no later than 10:00 a.m. on January 21, 2023 so they can be delivered to the church for the service. Also, if inclined, you may bring flowers to the church at least 20 minutes prior to the service OR there will be a designated location for you to place them towards the conclusion of the service.