Lewellyn (Sinclair) Banna

Lewellyn (Sinclair) Banna passed away peacefully on June 21, 2023, with her daughter by her side following a brief illness at Deaconess Gateway Hospital. Lewellyn was beloved by her family and friends who will always miss and cherish her. “GranLew,” as she liked to be called by her only grandson and “Lew-Lew,” as she was called by her beloved Joe, was loving wife, mom, daughter, sister and a baker of chocolate cakes with white icing like no other. Lewellyn’s story starts on April 20, 1940, the second child to Pinkie Lee and W. C. “Clem” Sinclair. Lewellyn was born and raised in Campbellsville, Kentucky. When she was 9 years old, she contracted polio & was not expected to live past the age of 20, much less to age 83. Her strength, steadfast faith and determination sustained her. While working as a chief telephone operator in Campbellsville she met the love of her life, Joe Banna from Nazareth, Israel. She loved to tell the story of seeing him as she was driving her convertible and was so taken she almost hit the car in front of her. He laughed at her & so the romance began and lasted nearly 50 years until Joe passed in 2018. They were married February 8, 1964, and soon after moved to Flint, Michigan for Joe’s first jobs. They welcomed their only daughter, Leanne, in 1965. After 4 years in Michigan, they relocated to Henderson, Kentucky for what would become their life commitment together as Joe began working for Hercules Manufacturing Company. While Joe worked, Lewellyn took care of everything for him and their daughter at home. She was renowned for her cooking, decorating and gardening skills. She was honored as Henderson’s Garden of the Season in spring 1995. She was involved in Christian Women’s Club & the Henderson Garden Club for many years. Her relationship with God was unwavering and she often inspired and carried those around her with her words & faith. Loved ones that awaited her in Heaven are her beloved husband, Joe Banna, her mother, Pinkie Lee (Tucker) Sinclair, her father, W.C. “Clem” Sinclair, her brother, W.C. “Bill” Sinclair and her brother-in-law, Henry Banna (wife, Samia) and many other dear relatives and friends. Loved ones that will miss Lewellyn until they meet again are her daughter, Leanne Banna of Henderson; her grandson Chase Joseph Pritchett of Atlanta; Her sister, Paula Sutton in Salt Lake City, Utah; her brothers J.P. “Butch” Sinclair of Campbellsville, Kentucky & Eddie Sinclair (wife, Sheila) of Summersville, Kentucky; her sisters-in-law Siham Mazzowi (husband, Tony) of Nazareth, Israel & Afaf Masri of Damascus, Syria; Her brothers-in-law Shawki Banna and Nassim Banna of Hot Springs, Arkansas; many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews scattered across the US & world. And so the story goes until we see our GranLew, Mom and Sister again. We will love you for always. A private service is being planned for family & close friends in the coming days. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Lewellyn’s name to support their community for nearly 55 years through The Banna Family Fund housed through The Community Foundation of Henderson. Checks can be made out to Community Foundation of Henderson - Banna Fund, PO Box 933 Henderson, KY 42419-0933. Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com