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Dana Latrice Hatch-Banks, a native of Port Arthur, TX was the middle of three children born to the union of the late Pastor Emeritus Louis Jr. & Irene Harris Hatch on November 5, 1970.   Dana accepted Christ at an early age at Guiding Star Missionary Baptist Church and served in ministries such as the junior ushers, junior choir and eventually senior choir, Eastern Progressive Missionary Baptist District Association, and eventually became the Minister of Music. Dana was a loved, respected, and celebrated 1989 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School, where she competed and performed in excellence in the UIL One Act Play, the Accappella Choir, as well as in the marching band and ultimately, drum major.

Comforting people in song became a frequent ministerial assignment for Dana; in song, and spiritually-based comedy. In 2003, Dana founded First Fruit Ministries to allow her to pursue her fused ministry callings of gospel music and gospel comedy.

In 1990, Dana earned her Certification in Vocational Nursing from Lamar State College Port Arthur, and later returned to earn her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing in 2001.

Dana began her nursing career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) in Oncology at St. Mary Hospital in Port Arthur, TX. She then became employed at ProCare Home Health where she formed many lifelong friendships with her colleagues. Dana continued her career path as an ICU Staff Nurse at Park Place Hospital and advanced to a RN Staff Nurse at Dubuis Hospital, both in Port Arthur, TX. Dana returned to Lamar State College Port Arthur to prepare the next generation of nurses as a Vocational Nursing Instructor. In 2007, Dana advanced to the Director of Nursing at Senior Rehabilitation Center in Port Arthur, TX, and continued that role through various skilled nursing facilities in and around the greater Houston area until 2014.

On August 10, 2000, Dana married the love of her life, Rev. Albert Lee Banks.

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Dana answered God’s call. She is preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Albert Lee Banks, parents Pastor Emeritus Louis Jr. and Lady Irene Harris Hatch, and brothers Johnny Ray Hatch, and Pastor Louis Hatch, III. Dana is survived by brother Johnny M. Hatch (Georgia), sisters-in-law Barbara A. Hatch, Detra Hatch; Lois Castile, Josie Brown, son-in-law George (Paulie), nieces Sharlene and Leah Hatch, nephew Louis Hatch IV; surviving aunt, Frances Hatch-Taylor, godmother, Pam Aclese-Key, godchildren Nick, Braylon, Torran, her special friend and caregivers Patricia Flowers and family and a host of very special cousins and friends.

Funeral services are scheduled for 10 am on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at New Light Missionary Baptist Church, 948 5^th Street, Port Arthur, TX. A visitation will be held from 8 am until service time. Pastor Kurt J. Washington will be officiating. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.