Mildred Marie (Banks) Wiess

Mildred Marie Banks Wiess was born May 24, 1927 and died May 1, 2020.

She was born in Cushing, Texas and moved to Silsbee in 1948.  Mrs. Wiess was a graduate of Cushing High School in 1944 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Music and Elementary Education.  She was a 1947 graduate of Stephen F Austin Teacher’s College and earned her Master of Education degree from the University of Houston in 1952.

Mildred taught one year as 1st through 8th grade music teacher in Carlisle, Texas before being called to teach 2nd grade in Silsbee in 1948.  She retired in 1985 having taught nearly three generations of students.

On August 20th of 1950, Mildred married William ‘Bill” Wiess at Fletcher Church in Lumberton after a Sunday evening church service and they were married for 65 years. 

After accepting Jesus as her Lord and Savior in high school, Mrs. Wiess went on to use her gifts and talents to serve the Lord throughout her life. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Silsbee where she served in the choir, hand bell choir, and women’s ensembles.  Mildred also spent many years in the 3-year-old department of the children’s ministry and two decades as the church librarian, enjoying telling stories on Sundays to the children who visited.  She was a self-taught artist who completed many projects, promotions, and event décor for Silsbee schools and First Baptist Church.

Mildred enjoyed singing more than anything else.  She was part of the Silsbee Women’s Club Chorus, The Spindletop Sound chapter of Sweet Adelines International, Silsbee Little Theater, and Silsbee Classroom Teachers Association.

Mrs. Wiess was also a member of Beta Sigma Phi Teacher’s Sorority and the local chapter of the Autism Society of America.  In her spare time, she could always be found working in her garden, drawing, writing poetry, and spending time with family.  She was always in the stands supporting her grandsons attending football games, marching band contests and Special Olympics competitions.

he is preceded in death by her father, Cecil Willie Banks, mother, Lola Dell Blanton Banks, an infant brother, and her loving husband of 65 years, William Lewis Wiess.Mrs. Wiess is survived by her only daughter, Lisa Marie Wiess Sanchez and husband Michael, and two grandsons, Ryan and Reid Sanchez, of Silsbee.

Visitation will be from 2 pm – 4 pm Sunday, May 3, 2020 at Farmer Funeral Home.  A graveside service will be at 10 am Monday, May 4th at R S Farmer Memorial Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution in her memory can be made to the Special Olympics Texas/Golden Triangle Champs chapter, 700 North St, Suite B, Beaumont, Tx 77701.

We ask that 'social distancing' guidelines be followed for both the visitation and the service.

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