Zola Barbara (Hamilton) Banks Schelp

Zola “Barbara” (Hamilton) Banks Schelp was born July 11, 1933, to Herschel and Edith (Booi) Hamilton at their home in Bates County Missouri on State Line. Barbara contracted Scarlet Fever at the age of 2 and lost her hearing. Becoming Deaf did not quench her adventurous spirit. At about the same age she coaxed their work horse to lower his head so she could clamber onto his back and go for a ride. 

At age 5 her parents dropped her off at the Missouri School for the Deaf (MSD) boarding school to begin her education. She had one biological sister 7 years older, but that day she gained “dorm sisters” who remained the closest of friends their whole lives. She graduated in 1951 from MSD. She had several jobs before securing a job with the United States Department of Agriculture where she worked for over 30 years and retired in 1994.

On June 6, 1958, she married Frederick C. Banks at the First Presbyterian Church in Olathe, Kansas. They had two children, Christopher and Nancy. They were married 37 years. They divorced in 1995. She married Harold Schelp in 2002 and were married 22 years. 

Barbara was an avid gardener and loved being a grandmother. Barbara lived the last years with her daughter’s family near Manhattan, Kansas enjoying country living once more. She delighted in the frequent visits from grandchildren and great grandchildren. That same spunky 2-year-old spirit remained with her to the very end.

Zola Barbara Hamilton Banks Schelp passed peacefully at home October 29, 2025, at the age of 92. She is survived by her first husband Frederick Banks, her children; son Chris (Shelly) Banks, Kansas City MO, her daughter Nancy (Daniel) Swihart, Manhattan KS, Grandchildren, Emmaline (Sam) Cook, EJ (Jena) Swihart, Lillian (Shiloh) Brock, Josiah (Hali) Swihart, Elsie (Malachi) Toth, Hezekiah Swihart, Obadiah Swihart, Malachi Swihart, and Elliana Swihart; and 15 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister and dorm sisters: and her second husband.

A small private Family Memorial honoring her wishes will be held later in November.