Jo’Vaughn Marcellis Banks was born on April 3, 1979 at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC. He departed his life on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at Duke University Medical Center.
Jo’Vaughn received his early education at Oak Grove Elementary School and Chewning Junior High. His love for sports became evident early in his life. He played both basketball and football while attending Chewning Junior High. Jo’Vaughn played high school football at both Northern and Southern High Schools. He was a graduate of Durham’s Southern High School. After graduation he attended NC A&T State University where he took classes towards a Bachelor’s Degree.
Jo’Vaughn was affectionately known as ‘Big Banks’. His size was mere in comparison however to his smile, that laugh, his personality, his joyous spirit and most of all his heart. He was a socialite in his own right and he never met a stranger. Jo’Vaughn thought and treated his many friends as an extension of his family. Without a doubt, he was loved and will be truly missed by us all.
Jo’Vaughn was preceded in death by his mother; Lynette Mechelle Banks, his paternal grandparents; Deloras Banks, John Banks Sr, and his Uncle Donald Banks.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his father, Warren Banks, Sr. (Robin), five siblings, Warren Banks, Jr., Ja’lessa Banks, Montrell Banks, Ashley Key and Adrian Key (Francine); his maternal grandparents, Mary Beatty and Joe Brown; 1 maternal aunt, 1 maternal uncle, five paternal aunts, ten paternal uncles; three nieces Aaliyah Martyn, Kamrynn Banks (Kookie) and Londyn Banks; three nephews, Jamier Banks, Javonte Key, Larry Morris, and a special friend-brother “Brody”. Through the union of Warren and Robin, Jo’Vaughn was blessed with another grandmother, Lynna Evans, three aunts, and four uncles along with a host of cousins and many, many friends all of which cherished and adored him.