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Samantha Banks' Medical Expenses

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Samantha Wiggins Banks

Alpha: March 14, 1967              Omega: April 25, 2018

Samantha was born to Climax and Betty Wiggins on March 14, 1967 in Houston, Texas. Samantha accepted God at an early age and was baptized at St. Anthony Baptist Church under Rev. L.L. Mackey. Samantha was introduced to the drums by Brother Raymond Smith at Bethel Baptist Church under the late Rev. Nimmo where she played for the Youth Choir and met her lifelong friend and confidant Stephanie York Blue, who visited her frequently when she became ill.

Samantha attended St. Phillips Neri Catholic School, Will Rogers Elementary School, Welch Middle School and the High School for Visual and Performing Arts in Houston, Texas. She played for Bethel Baptist Church, Kathy Taylor and the Choraleers, and the Kashmere Summer Workshops. Samantha attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Samantha later transferred to the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago, Illinois where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Music.

While in Chicago she married Charles Banks and to that union one daughter was born, Briana Denise Banks who was at her side until she took her last breath.

Samantha had over 40 years’ experience as a musician – she was a percussionist who mastered various genres and styles of music. Samantha traveled regionally and internationally with Ruthie Foster and Band, Luther and the Healers, The Big Otis Show Bank, Jerry Lightfoot and the Imperials, Joe “Guitar” Hughes, Annika Chambers and the Houston All Stars, Hadden Sayers Band, Calvin Owens, The Temptations featuring: Dennis Edwards, Faye Finney and the Caps House Band, Liz Mandeville, David Bryde, Toy Haus and her musical group Yasheed.

Samantha played for local churches including: Remnant Church (Pastor Hill, La Grange, TX), Praise Chapel (Pastor Love, Webster, TX), Living Word Church (Pastor Flores, Houston, TX), Love United Methodist Church (Pastor Bowie, Houston, TX), and Bethel Baptist Church (Dr. Nimmo, Houston, TX).

Samantha was preceded in death by her Father, Climax Wiggins and sister, Cynthia Renee King. Samantha is survived by her daughter, Briana Denise Banks, her Mother, Betty J. Wiggins who also was at her side until she took her last breath, sister, Regina Wiggins Speights, Godsister Shemeka Idlebird Bennett, nephew Brian K. Waters, niece Christine N. Speights, Charles Banks and a host of Aunts, Uncles, cousins and friends.

Samantha had lifelong and special friends who were pivotal in her career and must be acknowledged. To Stephanie York Blue, Tonya Fowler Richards, Ruthie Foster, Scottie Miller, Larry Fulcher, Hadden Sayers, and Denby Auble - we know Samantha loved and cherished your friendships.

Samantha never knew a stranger – her smile was contagious. She made a host of friends from her international travels. The family thanks Ridgemont Mortuary, Praise Chapel, Restoring Hope International Fellowship Church, Remnant Church, Lauren Harton, Terecia Blount, Bessie Fryer, Kasi Greathouse and family, Fabian Perez, all the Prayer Warriors, everyone who donated to Samantha’s GoFundMe page, friends and fans.


Services Information

A Memorial Service for Samantha Wiggins Banks will be held on Sunday, May 6, 2018 from 2:30pm - 4:30pm at Praise Chapel, 18516 TX-3, Webster, TX 77598 with Pastor Roy Love officiating.
The family is also planning a Celebration of Life with Samantha’s music family and many other musicians. Details coming soon.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to your choice of the following organizations Samantha loved:

musicmakers.org
The Music Maker Relief Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit, was founded to preserve the musical traditions of the South by directly supporting the musicians who make it, ensuring their voices will not be silenced by poverty and time.

cliffordantonefoundation.org
A 501(c)(3) non-profit in Austin, Texas dedicated to preserving our music culture and community by caring for our elders and investing in our youth.

homeaustin.org
HOME is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization that strives to create more security for aging musicians of the Austin, Texas, music scene, by pursuing low cost housing for them, and providing other assistance, including referrals to other available resources.

We thank you and hope you continue to pray for us during this time of bereavement.




* * * * *   O R G I N A L   P O S T   * * * * *

Samantha “Sam” Banks is an amazing percussionist and longtime drummer for Ruthie Foster. She is a true musician since she was a kid at the High School for Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, and majoring in music in college. Her career ranges from her jazz band called Yasheed to church on Sundays to the international stage with Ruthie and other touring artists. She is a favorite with audiences, known for her big smile, big heart, beautiful soul and incredible artistry with drums, percussion instruments and spoons! Ruthie calls her “the heartbeat of our band”.

Friday, February 23, 2018, Sam suffered a sudden and major brain bleed that has her now in the Neuro ICU in the Texas Medical Center. At this point, doctors are still assessing the impacts to her.

Sam’s daughter Briana and mom Ms. Betty have been by her side since that devastating evening. Like too many musicians, Sam is underinsured—in fact, she has none. So her friends have started this site to help her and her family with the overwhelming expenses incurred and yet to come.

The money raised for Sam will help her family with:

·       Medical and Therapy expenses

·       Medical supplies needed for her recovery and care

·       Daily care and support

·       Transportation

·       General monthly living expenses

Thank you for your support. Please pass along this link to anyone you think would like to help Sam.



Organizer and beneficiary

Fabian Perez
Organizer
Austin, TX
Samantha Banks
Beneficiary

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