Afton Nadine Banner's Obituary
Afton Nadine Banner
October 31, 1934 — October 21, 2021
On the beautiful, clear morning of October 21, 2021, with her adoring children by her side, Afton Nadine Banner, 86, passed from a life and family she loved with all her heart and was reunited with her loving mother, brother, father, great grandson, family and friends waiting for her arrival on the other side of the veil.
Afton was born on October 31, 1934 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Francis Mildred Clinger Smith and Ralph Charles Jacobsen—who divorced when Afton was very young. Her mother later married Lyman Leroi Smith who raised her as his own, making her part of the “Smith Family” and to whom Afton was later sealed.
On February 14, 1955, she married the one true love of her life, Clyde Robertson Banner— which was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple. He cherished her and she him, and together they raised five well-loved children. After nearly 26 years of marriage they divorced, but she always said that she loved only “one person” in her life and never remarried.
Early in life her family discovered that “Aftie” had a beautiful, natural God-given voice—and that she could sing like an angel. Her beautiful voice had a power and majesty along with an incredible range, but also a unique quality and softness that touched the heart of everyone that heard her sing—to include Bing Crosby—who was in awe of her beautiful voice and wanted to help her pursue a career in music. Unfortunately for her perhaps–but not for us–she had other plans that were more important to her…and that was having a happy home and family. Something she had longed for her entire life…since her own childhood had been hard and difficult.
However, because of her beautiful, God-given voice she had the opportunity to use her incredible talent to touch the lives of many. She performed as a soloist at numerous church and community events, dedications, weddings, funerals, celebrations of all types and at venues all across the West with many choirs, chorales and musical groups—to include the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. For years after she stopped performing, numerous people remembered her performances and would say to her family how they remembered her renditions of songs like The Battle Hymn of the Republic or The Sound of Music or O Divine Redeemer and how her voice was the most amazing thing they had ever heard…
She was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and she loved God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ—and looked at the sacred music and hymns as the best way to worship her Father in Heaven. It was through music we believe that she felt closest to her Savior.
She was also the most generous person you could ever know and was kind to all—she truly would give to anyone in need—if she had something to give—and even if she didn’t. She had an incredible talent for making people feel at home, comfortable and loved. She could make friends quickly with anyone, at anytime, anywhere—even in the checkout line at the grocery store.
Now while church service was important to her and she enjoyed her career in real estate and with Mountain Bell/US West/CenturyLink, she always thought her family was the most important calling and job of all! She had such a deep love for each of her children and grandchildren. She was always “The Hub” of our family—around which everything revolves and of course that connects everything important. When you could get her to talk about dying, she just knew that we could not go on without her—and she just may be right!
We will miss her unconditional love, her warmth, her zest for life and her unbound energy. She could never sit idle for long. She just loved to go anywhere, anytime and for any reason…she just go! We are sure she is far from resting even now. Most important of all was that she was a wonderful mother and best friend…and she will be missed beyond measure by all that knew her.
Mother…
May the good Lord bless and keep you whether near or far away
May you find that long awaited golden day today
May your troubles all be small ones and your fortunes ten times ten
May the good Lord bless and keep you till we meet again
May you walk with sunlight shining and a bluebird in every tree
May there be a silver lining back on every cloud you see
Fill your dreams with sweet tomorrows never mind what might have been
May the good Lord bless and keep you till we meet again…
She is survived by her children, Robert Banner (Felicia) of South Jordan, UT, Kathy Price (Philip) of Logan, UT, Gary Banner (Shanna) of Spanish Fork, UT, Alan Banner of Denver, CO, Kristine Hopkins (Michael) of Clearfield, UT; 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother; Francis Mildred Clinger Smith; Father; Lyman Leroi Smith; Brother; Lyman Leroi Smith II, her biological Father; Ralph Jacobsen; Great Grandson, Landon Banner and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins who she loved and adored.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, October 29, 2021 at 2 p.m. at the South Jordan Cemetery, located at 10630 S 1055 West, South Jordan, UT.
Our family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Nash for the special attention and care he provided and for all her friends at the Riverwalk Senior Apartments who watched over her daily. Thank you for your friendship and service.
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