Tania Ann Banks-Sudduth

Epitaph to a life well lived

Tania (TA-Knee-A) Ann Banks-Sudduth would on an ordinary day describe herself as a 45year-old, neurodivergent, never married, childless, cat woman living in Topeka, Kansas. She was continually taking crucial steps toward resolving symptoms from early childhood trauma and was big advocate for mental health. Tania had an extraordinary, beautiful mind and understood herself so well that she vowed not to have children so as to not bestow her depression, anxiety and ADHD to them. Her testimony of her spiritual journey began at age 5, her first every United Methodist Annual Conference. And she never missed one until she went to Iliff in Denver, Co. As a PK (preacher’s kid) she hated being in the spotlight but loved her a UMW potluck. Tania’s spiritual self was of great importance to her, and she applied her spiritual faith, mindfulness, meditation, prayer and person growth to her life in general. She was not a morning person, so if she had her sunglasses on at the front desk no one would talk to her until she removed them. To not have to bother from worry about fashion chaos she wore various shades of black and gray. The only sparing deterrent to that color scheme was her pink Christmas Story Bunny Suit, PHI MU Rose & White and Hello Kitty Pink. And yes, she would correct my grammar, punctuation, etc. in these run-on sentences.

1981 – February 14, born at Stormont Vail Hospital, Topeka, KS to biological parents Donita Knight and Edward J. Banks. Tania began her educational path attending Lowman Hill and Wanamaker Elementary Schools.

1989 – She was adopted by her sister Yvonne E. Bailey-Banks and Howard L. Sudduth

1990-1997 – The family itinerated to Goff, KS and Tania attended Wetmore Elementary and High School.

1997-1999 – The family then itinerated to Gridley; KS and she attended/graduated from Gridley High School.

1999 - They registered at Basehor; KS and enrolled at Baker University.

2003 - After graduating from Baker U. with a BA in Sociology and minor in Religion. Tania moved back home with her parents, living in McLouth, KS. Her parents retired and the family moved back to Topeka, KS.

2007 - Tania enrolled at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Co – achieving her Masters in Peace and Justice Ministries which is a Specialized Ministry.

Her first job was removing bricks from sidewalks in Goff, KS for Bob Carson. She was also 2aitstaff at Gridley Café, Core Counselor Champ Chippewa at Ottawa, KS. Seating Hostess at the Harvest House Restaurant in McLouth. While attending Iliff she worked in the Library Audio Visual Department at Faith Trek and Front Desk Receptionist. Upon returning to Kansas, she worked at: Kansas Arts Commission, the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas. Director of Youth and Family Ministries at Pleasant Hill UMC. Receptionist at Silver Lake UMC. Receptionist at Cornerstone Community Church, Administrative Assistant, Ichtus: Washburn Campus Ministry and New Dawn Wellness and Recovery Center, Inc.

She was a lifelong United Methodist, Tania had been active in the Kansas East Conference Youth Events, (4) Work missions for KS East Conference UMW Mission Trips, throughout the United States. She was a Baker Ambassador. She was a member of the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns Committee and the Committee on Episcopacy with Bishop Mutti. While finding her way to cook and serve the volunteer workers of the World Trade Center in New York City. She called stating mom, I just talked with God. He was standing on the corner in a black leather jacket smoking a cigarette and he gave me the correct directional instructions to the service area. She then said when I turned to thank him, he was gone just disappeared. Tania was blessed to be a Communications Intern at the Veterans of Hope Project in Denver. She also volunteered at the Capper Foundation in Topeka. Tania was a member of the United Methodist Women, Communications Coordinator 2009-2011 and Honorary member of the Silver Lake Men’s Breakfast Club, the White Rose Chapter #297 of the Eastern Star and PHI MU Sorority. As well, to you Harry Potter fans who know the key to unlocking deeper insights into her character need to know that she was in the Hufflepuff House.

Her passions were reading (Rural Water Mag. -all Manuals, United Book of Disciple-has full collection by years, the Bible in different versions and languages, novels, cookbooks (sometimes read 2 or 3 books at one time), The Rain, a crackling fire, knives, speed walking, knitting, baking, dancing, music, yoga, musicals/Broadway, movies, theater, KU and sports (yes even curling), fashion, giving of her time, Hello Kitty, Tetris, Pokémon, collecting MAC make-up (was quite proficient in her precreation of administering it). Doc Martin shoes & Boots. She could spend hours in Hardware and Office Supply Stores. Tania just didn’t enjoy the above-mentioned passions; she would inform you as she had analyzed, interpreted and thought that one would enjoy her data collecting perceptions. Her skills were applied in many fields of theoretical and practical developments of her mind. Sometimes it was stuff you didn’t want to know and or never thought about, that she felt needed to be shared. Statistics, who owned what, how it was made, where the material came from, should you support its use or boycott, etc.

Tania knew the name of every person that came into her reception area and would greet them by name. And as they would exit, she would invite them to have a good rest of their day or evening. She was honest, could keep a secret and did not know how to lie. Her directness could be off-putting to some as she stated her thoughts with simple honesty, just a matter-of-fact way. Tania was never bothered whether or not you agreed with her. She was detail-oriented, analytical, and prone to suppressing negative emotions. Not being on time was not acceptable to her ethics.

She is survived by her cat, Greyson Magneto, Adoptive parents: Yvonne E. Bailey-Banks, Howard L. Sudduth Topeka; God-Parents: Robert and June Carson Wetmore; siblings; Stacey L. Banks (Carmon), Topeka, Robin I. Bailey-Menefee Benson, California, Sheryl Millgan, Topeka, Howard, Keith, Cary Lee, Vincent, Michael and Michelle Sudduth, KCK.

She is predeceased by Shasha her first cat. Grandparents: Knight, Banks and Sudduth. Her biological parents Donita Knight and Edward J. Banks. Many uncles, aunts and cousins.

An evening memorial celebration of life visitation will take place from 5:00pm to 7:00pm September 18, 2026 at Penwell Gabel Funeral Home 1321 SW 10th Ave. Topeka, KS.

A memorial celebration of life Church Service will take place at 11:00am September 19, 2026 at University United Methodist Church, 1621 SW College Ave, Topeka, Officiated by Rev. Ira Despain. The family invites you to join them for a pot-luck meal together following the service.

Donations in her memory can be made to Helping Hand Humane Society, CAT Association of Topeka and or Camp Ministries University UMC.

To leave a message for the family, please visit the guestbook section below.