With a full heart, we celebrate the homegoing of Deborah Mathis Banks, a beloved soul of Raleigh, North Carolina. On December 10, 2025, at the age of 70, she peacefully passed away in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her cherished loved ones.

Deborah was born on December 28, 1954, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to Hercules A. Mathis Sr. and Rosalie McKee Mathis. Shortly after, the family moved to Newark, New Jersey, where she blossomed into adulthood.

Deborah pursued higher education and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Rutgers The State University, Livingston College. Throughout her career, she excelled in various fields, with Real Estate Broker being her most recent endeavor. She found immense joy in working with people, not just customers, and helping them find solutions that met their needs. This passion for connecting with others was the source of her greatest fulfillment.

Beyond her professional life, Deborah was a devoted mother and wife. Her life’s passions were exhibited as a model and actor, finding immense pleasure in entertaining and engaging with people. Her charitable acts extended to volunteering as a narrator for Books for the Blind, for over a decade, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to making a positive impact.

Deborah’s life was driven by a profound desire for truth and understanding. She firmly believed in the power of faith and of the mind, seeking guidance from teachers who enlightened her about the nature of this world. She was passionate about discussing these profound topics with anyone who was open to learning, hoping to help them navigate life with an open heart and peace of mind.

Deborah’s influence was felt deeply whether you knew her for a lifetime or just a few minutes. Her legacy will continue to resonate with those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Deborah is survived by her beloved son, Jermaine Flynn Mathis, her husband Bernard Cornelius Banks, and her four siblings: Linda Gail Mathis, Jeannette Mathis Reynolds (Randall Reynolds, deceased), Hercules Mathis, Jr., and Kimberley Mathis Jackson (Guy K. Jackson, Sr.), as well as her aunt Marlene Feaster and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and dear friends. Preceded in death by both parents, Hercules A. Mathis and Rosalie McKee Mathis.

Deborah’s unwavering commitment to her beliefs and her genuine desire to help others made her a truly remarkable individual.

Her favorite saying: “She wasn’t always right, but she was never wrong!”

May her spirit find eternal peace and boundless love on its onward journey!

There will be a private service at Renaissance Funeral Home on January 10th 2026 at 1:00 PM.