It is with a heavy heart we announce the unexpected passing of Chiquita Banks Deane, who left us far too soon on September 7, 2025. Born on January 7, 1970, Chiquita touched many lives and was known for her cheerful personality and contagious happiness.

She is lovingly remembered by her family, including her mother, Elizabeth Banks; sisters, Elizabeth Perkins & Carrie Banks Garvin; and her precious daughter, Tiffany Chiquita Giles. Nieces, Delorias Perkins, and Sapphire Keeling-Banks and nephews, K.J. Perkins (Kelsey Johnson) and Ricky Banks, and great nephew Kage Perkins; Aunts, Sarah Woodson, Edna Poindexter, Annie Campbell, Bertha Campbell, Sarah Smith Henry, and Rose Smith ; stepchildren; Christopher Deane and Chelsea Deane. 

Chiquita was also blessed with a loving relationship with Archie Giles, her spouse whom she married in 1992, and her later husband, Henry Deane, whom she married in 2014. Her memory will continue to be cherished by all of them.

Chiquita was predeceased by her father, Arthur Banks; her brother Arthur Banks Jr., her uncle, John Banks; her aunt, Frances DeBarross; and her grandmothers, Martha Trent-Banks and Rose Johnson- Smith.

Chiquita was diagnosed in 2024 with a rare cancer, Metastasizing Solitary Fibrous Tumor.  She underwent chemotherapy for 9 months, but it was unsuccessful. Her health began to decline rapidly where she was the admitted to Johnston Willis Hospital. They provided end of life comfort measures for her until she was called home on September 7, 2025. 

Chiquita's faith was an integral part of her life. She consistently attended the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, a devoted member of her Christian community. Her favorite pastimes included cooking, shopping, listening to music, each of which she embraced with joy and enthusiasm. She loved to watch her family, and friends enjoy eating her honeybun cakes, her sweet potato pies, her lasagna, baked spaghetti, and upside-down pineapple cakes with cherries on top. Her love for shopping on the HSN channel brought her much joy as she loved to dress up and wear her fashionable clothes and jewelry. She enjoyed large family gatherings that included eating out at restaurants and traveling to shop at Malls in other states. She spent her free time listening to music and watching cooking shows on tv to get new ideas for her recipes. She also loved getting her nails done by Pamela Morris.

More than anything, Chiquita will be remembered for her absolute dedication to children with learning disabilities. She had a unique talent for working with these children; her passion for their care, happiness, and the relationships she built with their parents was unmatched. It's that bright flame of compassion that made her a beacon in the lives of many.

She was a delightful source of love, happiness, and encouragement to all who knew her. The void left by her loss is immense and is deeply felt by all those she left behind. Her smile, her laughter, and her kind heart will be missed, but her legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of those she touched.

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