Virginia Elizabeth Anton

Anton, Virginia Elizabeth Banks, age 93 of Trussville, Alabama and Arvada, Colorado reunited with her husband, Jim Anton, on May 21, 2020 just a day short of their 67th wedding anniversary. She leaves behind two sons, Wayne (Judy) Anton of Birmingham and John Anton of Alexandria, Virginia; two daughters, Shirley (David) Hamilton of Arvada, Colorado and Julia Anton of Cape Canaveral, Florida; four grandchildren, Elizabeth (John) Martin of Auburn, Alabama; Paul (Vicky) Anton of Auburn; Christopher Hamilton of Wheat Ridge, Colorado; and Melanie (Paul) Smith of Arvada, Colorado; great-grandchildren Sam Smith and Zoe Smith of Arvada;  brothers Edwin (Wanda) Banks of Jasper, Alabama; Charles (Earline) Banks of Leeds, Alabama; sisters Geraldine Cole of Jasper and Hazel Park, Michigan; Laura Wolf of Jasper; and numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by her husband James E. Anton, grandson Benjamin David Hamilton, great-granddaughter Dorothy Virginia Martin, parents Luther and Juliette Banks, and brothers Donald Banks and Arnold Banks.

Mrs. Anton was born February 14, 1927 in Pikeville in Marion County, Alabama and grew up in the Boldo area of Jasper in Walker County. She graduated from Livingston College and enjoyed a lifelong, passionate career as a first- and third-grade teacher, mostly with the Jefferson County School System. At Chalkville Elementary for decades, she got great joy and personal satisfaction teaching thousands of students to read, and the first word she taught was always “look.”

Mrs. Anton was a member of First United Methodist Church of Trussville, and previously belonged to Huffman First United Methodist Church.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of Greenbriar at the Altamont in Birmingham and Gardens on Quail in Arvada, Colorado for their care during her illness. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a memorial to the First United Methodist Church of Trussville, Alabama or a favorite charity.

Mrs. Anton will be laid to rest at Jefferson Memorial – Trussville with a memorial service to be held at a future date.