Obituary for Elder Georgia Louise Bongard

Sunrise: July 31, 1938     Sunset: November 21, 2024

Elder Georgia Louise Powell Banner Bongard ("Baby Sis") peacefully entered into eternal rest on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at her home, surrounded by loving family members.  She was born in Lenoir, North Carolina to parents, Laura Neal Patterson and Clyde Powell.  She was educated in the Caldwell County School System and continued her education at Caldwell Technical Institute, graduating in 2002.  She was a long-time member of Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church where she became the first female associate pastor to Bishop Davis, and later joined Christ Church Lenoir, where she held several offices, including Sunday School, Church Board, Intercessory Prayer, Treasurer, Usher board, and the Women's Ministry.  Under the pastorship of Bishop S.T. Davis, Sr., she was elevated to the position of Elder

Elder Bongard was employed in the furniture industry at Lenoir Furniture Corporation, beginning in 1966, where she worked until her retirement in 2005.  Among the many activities she loved, she enjoyed cooking for family, friends, and for various church functions.  She loved to sing, play the piano, and listening to Gospel music.  Her favorite gospel artists were the late Teddy Huffam and Minister Shirley Caesar.  After entering the ministry in 1980, her greatest love became ministry and her Savior Jesus Christ.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother John Walter Powell, one sister Shirley Powell Ellis, and her former husband Ross Banner Sr.

She is survived by and will be sorely missed by sons Ross Lee Banner Jr., Ivan Dexter Banner, Keith Tobias Banner, Mario Maurice Banner, Garrett Quinn Banner (Deanna), Tyrone Evan Banner (Abigail); sisters Linda P. Hood, Evonne Stevenson, and Eleanor P. Michaux (Anthony); twenty-two grandchildren, a host of great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A homegoing celebration honoring the life of Elder Georgia Louise Bongard will be held Saturday November 30, 2024 at 12:00 noon at Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church with Rev. Aaron L. Patterson, Jr. officiating and Bishop S. T. Davis, Sr. serving as eulogist; interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The service will be livestreamed on the McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook page and YouTube Channel; the links are found below:

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/mccainfuneralhome/

McCain Funeral Home & Cremations YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4qb7IT7sO-Kc0BRs05J-A