
June 15, 1953 ~ March 12, 2022
Born in:
Dallas, Texas
Resided in:
Arlington, Texas
Gera Banks Winchester, 68, of Arlington, TX, went to her heavenly home on March 12, 2022. Gera was born in Dallas, TX to Gerald and Nancy Banks on June 15, 1953. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1971 and attended The University of Texas at Arlington where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
Gera studied classical piano as a young child and became a very accomplished pianist. She accompanied her school choirs in junior high and high school, and the choral program was the highlight of her school years. She began a long career as a pianist and vocalist for two decades following high school. Her passion for entertaining started with a band, and then she performed for many years as a solo piano/vocal act in Dallas, New Orleans, and Houston.
In 1989, Gera married John Winchester. She changed careers and began working as a legal assistant in a law office for the next five years. She used those skills to work for and eventually own the business representing creditors in bankruptcy court.
Gera’s twin daughters, Carly and Lily, were born in 1992, and she became a full-time mom when they were two years old. They were the light of her world as they grew up. She was a devoted mother to them and was very active in all their activities, especially with the Cheer Booster Club at Arlington High School. She counted those years as the best of her life.
Toward the end of her daughters’ high school years, Gera began working for the Dallas Cowboys as a suite attendant/bartender and for the Texas Rangers in the Jack Daniels restaurant as a server. These jobs were not work for her. She always referred to the Ranger’s ballpark job as her “happy place.” She enjoyed the interaction with the guests and made lifelong family friends with many of them.
Her heart overflowed with joy and was “over the moon” when her grandson Jaden was born in 2018. Gera was also extremely close to her extended family. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, great aunt and cousin. She also treasured her close friends. In every case, to know Gera was to love her.
Gera had deep and unwavering faith in God, and prayer was a very important part of her daily life. She praised God in her joys and trusted God during challenging times.
Gera was preceded in death by her mother Nancy Banks.
Gera is survived by her husband, John Winchester; daughters Carly Winchester and Lily Winchester; grandson Jaden Winchester-Prather; father Gerald (Columba) Banks; sisters Diane (Jack) Grindstaff and Sheryl (Mike)Osborne; nieces and nephews Melanie Mize, Ryan (Kara) Grindstaff, Sarah (Ramsey) Wright, Brandon (Heather) Grindstaff, Lisa Osborne and Colten Grindstaff; great nieces and nephews Veda Mize, Cora Mize, Emily Belgarde, Cameron Wright, Macyn Wright, Joslynn Grindstaff, Derrick Kent, and Knox Grindstaff.
Gera’s memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Saturday, March 26 at Wade Funeral Home, 4140 W Pioneer Pkwy, Arlington, TX, 76013.
Funeral Service Broadcast 03/26/2022 3:00 pm
WatchFuneralServiceServices
Memorial Service: Saturday, March 26, 2022 3:00 pm
Wade Funeral Home and Crematory
4140 West Pioneer Parkway
Arlington, Texas 76013
(817)274-9233
wadefamilyfuneralhome.com
Gera was not only a gorgeous person on the outside, but a wonderful human being on the inside. She had a knack for always making you feel special and certainly lit up any room she entered.
The world has lost a beautiful soul! But, we are comforted to know that she is pain-free and with her Lord and Savior.
kathy jones
What a special friend. I’ll miss her forever. Harold Dixson
I will miss you Gera. We sure did have a good time. I love you girlfriend. May GOD watch over you and keep you safe. You don’t have to worry anymore and you won’t be suffering anymore. I am glad we were friends.
I knew Gera from junior high through High school. I always admired her talent and her loving spirit. I worked with her husband John for a few years. I pray for comfort and peace for you John, and all of your and Gera’s family.
An awesome spirit, loving and fun. May you rest with the angels ❤️
I always looked up to Gigi. She has always been so pretty and so talented. I will miss her.
My love and prayers to the family! I love you all!
Gera always had that beautiful pleasant smile and a great listener. Always admired you. You are now in heaven singing with the angels.
Gera, your presence, talents, and loving nature will be sorely missed. May you rest in eternal peace and God grant comfort to your family and friends. You will be missed.
Gera and I were bound by our love of music and the fact that she was the girl with the guy name and I was the guy with the girl name. I will always remember the day she allowed me to talk her into singing Misty for us with a jazz trio in the Jack Daniels Club at Globe Life Park. Her star shined so bright as she amazed our guests and our staff with her special talent. Love you Gera! Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your fabulous life!
Jodie! That was the memory I was going to share. What an artist and what a voice! We sought her out to take care of us at the club and she helped get me through the beginning (terrible morning sickness that lasted all day) and last stages of my pregnancy, even through labor at the ballpark! We miss both of you so much. As you helped to raise Juliana, she was the Ballpark grandma to Shaun. We have lost a family member. Gera, if you can hear us, we love you and the memories we made with you will enrich our entire lives.
My dear sweet friend!!! We carpooled to AT_T stadium for 4 years! She was an absolute angel no matter what was going on she was always the best friend a girl could have!!! John, Lily, Carly and Diane my prayers and comfort are with y’all!! My heart is broken!!! I loved my sweet Gera and now I have an amazing guardian angel watching over me!!! You will be missed my dear friend!! 💚❤️
I was always so fond of Gera! Had good times at get togethers at Harold Dicksons home. She was so bubbly and always had a smile on her beautiful face! Rest In Peace Gera!
“It ain’t worth a thing if it ain’t got that bling”
I’ll miss you more than you can know.
I love you.
God Bless You Gera
Beast
Having read this I believed it was really informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this content together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!