Carolyn Grace Banks, age 79, passed from this life to life with her Savior on May 10, 2026, at home in Santa Paula, California. Carolyn was born in Florida and attended multiple schools, where she was impacted significantly by several teachers, which led to her life’s passion to help others through education. After the 10th grade she moved with her family to Prescott, Arizona, where she graduated from high school. and where she met her future life mate, David Banks.
After her high school graduation, she started her university work at the University of Arizona, focusing on Speech and Language. After her sophomore year of college, she and David were married, and she joined him in New Mexico, where he was an engineering student at New Mexico State University. Upon completion of David’s bachelor’s degree, they moved to Ventura, California, where David started his work at Point Mugu. After a two-year delay, she returned to school at the University of California at Santa Barbara, where she received her degree in speech and language. She completed her first master's degree and took a job with Santa Paula Schools. From there she moved to the Ventura County schools office as a consultant and then moved to the Oxnard School District, where she was a teacher. and principal at Lemonwood, Kamala, and Richen Schools. Along the way she earned a second master’s degree and a Doctorate in education. Carolyn was very active in her church, Ventura Missionary Church, where she had major leadership roles in the church, the Ventura Counseling Center, and Ventura Missionary School.
Based on her passion for teaching and academic training, Carolyn became an adjunct professor in teacher education, teaching emerging teachers how to teach. Her passion and knowledge for teaching led her to teaching and consulting in teaching in Europe, Africa, and Asia. She and David established a Not-for-Profit organization, DACAR Institute Foundation, whose focus is on training and education around the world.
In addition to teaching, Carolyn had two other passions. One was travel, where, along with husband David, she traveled to over 40 countries scattered around the world. Her third passion was golf. Her attitude of no matter what the last shot was, the next one will be good allowed her to enjoy her game in Scotland, England, Brazil, Ecuador, Australia, and South Africa. She also enjoyed many rounds in California and Hawaii, and one of the high points of her game was a hole-in-one at the old Elkins Ranch course.
She was preceded in death by her father, Ross Williams, and mother, Louise Williams. Also proceeding her were Father-in-Law Henry Banks, Mother-in Law Mae Dell Banks, and Brothers-in-Law Henry Duane and Larry Banks. She is survived by Sister Marilyn Cunningham and her husband Ron in Texas. She is also survived by husband David and daughter Janyce in California and many “children and grandchildren” throughout the world.
A Celebration of Carolyn’s life will be held at the Ventura Missionary Church on June 27 at 2 PM. In Lieu of Flowers, contributions can be made to her organization, DACAR Institute Foundation (975 W Telegraph SPC 126, Santa Paula, Ca, 93060).