Shirley May Banister, age 83, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, entered into the presence of Jesus Christ on Wednesday evening, January 8, 2025, after a brief battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, David Charles Banister, her infant daughter Mary Jane Banister, her infant son, Jonathan David Banister, her granddaughter Rachel Befus, her sister-in-law, Jill Banister, and her parents, Donald and Beatrice Palma. She is survived and affectionately remembered by her six children and 23 grandchildren: David (Carla) Banister and their children, Anna (Nate) VanKammen, Sarah (Taylor) Sylvester, Mathew Banister (partner Katherine), and Michael Banister; Susan Befus and her children, Emily (Andrew) Blount, Jonathan (Shelby) Befus, and Jacob (Melissa) Befus; James (Claudia) Banister and their children, Ashley (Pablo) Ixcoy Banister, Joshua (Sadie) Banister, Spencer Banister, and Elliott Banister; Robert (Kelly) Banister and their children, Chloe, Noah, Ellery, and Karson Banister; Daniel (Jody) Banister and their children, Peter Banister, Ethan and Owen Heilman; and Joel (Jamie) Banister and their children, Maggie, MaryJane, William, and Nathan Banister. She is survived by her brothers Jim (Nancy) Palma and Robert (Susan) Palma, and her brother-in-law, Fred Banister. She is also survived by her five great-grandchildren Levi, Luke and Lauren Blount, and Arlo and Lee Befus. Her passing leaves a permanent gap in our family gatherings as she took every opportunity to be with her family. Her eight children, along with her later blessings of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, impacted how she spent her time, her thoughts, and her money. She never forgot birthdays and anniversaries. She endured the raising of six children to adults and pleasantly received all the teasing from her kids on our stories of growing up with her as our mom. In short, she has always been there for us! A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., at South Grandville Christian Reformed Church, 4130 Wilson Ave. SW, Grandville, MI 49418, with Pastor Kevin Baker of Ada Bible Church officiating. A luncheon will follow. Visitation for the family and friends will be held at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, on Friday, January 17, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-8 p.m. Interment will be a private family burial at Washington Park Memorial Gardens. The family suggests memorial contributions be given in her memory to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 (billygraham.org).