Sandra M. Banks

Sandra M. Banks, 84, of Boulder, CO., beloved mother, grandmother, and friend passed away on Wednesday June 7, 2023, in Boulder. She was born April 26, 1939, in Ashland, KY. She grew up in Ashland, where she was the middle child of three sisters.

Sandra graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, where she won academic honors and was the head cheerleader. She attended Morehead State University the first year it was desegregated, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Education. While raising two small children on her own and teaching full-time, Sandra went on to earn a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Sandra moved to Boulder with her family in 1974. She was a teacher in the Boulder Valley School District at Heatherwood and Birch Elementary Schools until her retirement in 2002. She was also an active and longtime member of the United Black Women of Boulder Valley where she served a term as President.

Sandra loved to spend time with her family, especially her granddaughters. She was an avid reader, reading 2-3 books a week. She liked road trips, crossword puzzles, sudoku, Scrabble, cribbage, watching British detective shows, Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, going to lunch, and drinking chai lattes with friends. Sandra always greeted people with a warm smile and an open heart. She instilled a sense of giving in her children that reached and continues to touch many members of the Boulder community.

Sandra is survived by her two children, daughter Carol Banks of Louisville, CO., Tony Banks and wife Marisa of Coppell, TX and two grandchildren, Michaela Banks of Dallas, TX and Bianca Banks of Phoenix, AZ. She is preceded in death by her longtime partner Pete Cunningham, her sisters and many other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to: The Sachs Foundation of Colorado (https://www.sachsfoundation.org/donate/) which supports Black communities in Colorado through education and community service.

Services for Sandra Banks will be held Saturday, August 5th, 2023

Begins at 11am. Reception to Follow.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder

5001 Pennsylvania Ave. Boulder, CO 80303

(303) 494-0195

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the Banks family.