Mary Jane Banning

Mrs. Banning was born on October 13, 1929, in Clarksville, Virginia. She was raised with her beloved brother, L. Jack Hite, in Clarksville by her parents, Leonard Talley Hite and Winifred Catherine Justis Hite. She graduated from Clarksville High School as the valedictorian of her class at the age of 16. Mrs. Banning attended Longwood University, where she graduated in 1950. After graduating from Longwood, Mrs. Banning began a teaching career by returning to Clarksville to teach at her high school before moving to teach in Alexandria, Virginia.

After teaching for ten years, Mrs. Banning started a family with her husband, Robert W. Banning, Sr. They settled in University Park, Maryland, where she lived for almost 65 years. It was here where she found her true calling and love as a mother to her children, Roberta B. Emblidge, Scott J. Banning, M.D., and James L. Banning. Her love and encouragement extended to her stepchildren, Robert W. Banning, Jr., and Georganne Banning Landis. She was an enthusiastic advocate of her children’s academic, extracurricular and professional pursuits. Mrs. Banning always provided an encouraging word or advice to her children when it was needed. She seldom missed a school or athletic event from elementary school through her children’s graduation from college. Mrs. Banning wholeheartedly celebrated the lives of her children and their important personal and professional accomplishments.

Mrs. Banning was fortunate to have a caring and loving extended family, to include Carolyn K. Hite, her sister-in-law, Mark E. Emblidge, her son-in-law, and Dale A. Banning and Kyle L. Banning, her daughters-in-law. She returned their love graciously.

Beyond her calling as a mother, Mrs. Banning’s role in her grandchildren’s lives demonstrated that her love was multigenerational. “Nannue”, as she was called by her grandchildren, was a constant positive influence in the lives of her six grandchildren: William J. Banning, Catherine C. Emblidge, Mary Webb Banning, Caroline J. Emblidge, Jackson R. Banning and Harrison M. Banning. She recently welcomed her first great-grandchild, William Clifford Banning, the son of Will and Walker Banning. Her legacy of love and support will forever live on in the hearts of her children, grandchildren, extended family and friends.

When she was not in University Park socializing with her neighbors that were dear to her, Mrs. Banning enjoyed her time with family and friends at her homes in Ocean City, Maryland, in Wachapreague on the Virginia Eastern Shore and in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She also enjoyed boating trips aboard the family’s beloved boat, the “Puddin Head”, that was named after her. During these trips, she could be found at the Annapolis Yacht Club, on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, at The Tides Inn in Irvington, Virginia or at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo, Florida. Finally, no summer was complete without trips to southside Virginia and her hometown of Clarksville to visit her parents and Jack and Carolyn.

Mrs. Banning’s artwork can be found in many places in Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. She inherited her artistic ability from her mother who was an established oil and watercolor artist. Mrs. Banning founded her own antique and folk-art business called “MJ’s Ordinary” through which she marketed her artwork for over 30 years.

Mrs. Banning enjoyed volunteering for many civic organizations and was committed with her husband, Bob, to supporting Hollins University, attended by her daughter, and Hampden-Sydney College, attended by her two sons, and two of her grandsons. She was a lifetime Founder at Hampden-Sydney, where her husband served on the Board of Trustees from 1987 to 1992. Together, they were Co-Chairs of the college’s Parents Council in 1986 and 1987. In 1986, Mary Jane and Bob Banning were honored with the James Madison Award for their distinguished service to Hampden-Sydney.

Most recently, Mrs. Banning enjoyed spending time with her family and Virginia friends in Richmond. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial gifts to The Boyd Tavern Foundation, Post Office Box 183, Boydton, Virginia 23917 or Hampden-Sydney College, Hampden-Sydney, Virginia 23943. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Jamieson Memorial Methodist Church, 219 Fifth Street, Clarksville, Virginia on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Oakhurst Cemetery in Clarksville. Following the interment, the family will receive friends at the home of Carolyn K. Hite, 109 Dan Circle, Clarksville, Virginia.