Allan A. Banda

On June 25, 2022, Allan A. Banda, of Annapolis, MD transitioned into heaven, at 12:30PM after a three-year battle with metastatic prostate cancer. He fought the good fight of faith long and hard, with much strength, tenacity and courage, knowing that the battle was not his, but it belonged to the Lord!

Allan A. Banda, affectionately called Banda by his family and friends, was born June 1, 1943, to Alfred Mafunga Banda and Cecelia Nqwababa Nkomo Banda, in Tsholotsho, Zimbabwe. He lived in Sipepa Gwaai Area from 1943 to 1954 before moving to Malawi. Banda moved back to Zimbabwe in 1958. In 1964, he was the captain of Tekwane Secondary School. Banda completed his apprenticeship at Seruka Oil Refinery.

He married his first wife in 1970. They were blessed with three children, Thabani Banda, Thembelani Banda, and Nomandla Banda. In 1977, Banda received an engineering scholarship to Louisiana State University, and moved his family to America. He worked for General Motors in Milford, Michigan as a mechanical engineer for 30 years. He also worked for Shell in petroleum engineering before retiring in 2009.

In 2011, Banda moved to Elkridge, MD, to marry Dianne Thomas, whom he loved deeply and called “me love." He helped her expand New Life Assisted Living Inc, from one to five locations. Banda was President of Kingdom Building Network, Christ in Us United, and Dianne and Lillie Foundation. They relocated to Annapolis in 2021 to enjoy peace and quiet time together.

Banda enjoyed fishing, gardening, teaching others, traveling, and vacationing, especially to his timeshare in the mountains. He loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and other family members and friends. He was kind, methodical, intelligent, and known for being a jack of all trades. When asked how he was feeling, even when he only had a voice left to whisper in excruciating pain, Allan would say, “Better Than Good!” He loved cooking. He was known for preparing ox tails, short beef ribs, beef neck bones, fish, cow feet, greens, and basmati rice. Everything he cooked was truly better than good.

His greatest strength was his faith in God. Banda was a member of Evangel Cathedral in Upper Marlboro, MD. Apostle Don Meares was his Pastor, and First Lady Marion Meares was his spiritual mother. As co-Pastor of NLAL Church on Wheels, he ministered to the elderly and disabled in their homes. He always trusted God in his today, knowing that God was in control of his tomorrow. Banda’s favorite songs were, “Raise A Hallelujah” and “The Father’s House.” His favorite scriptures were 1 Samuel 30:8 and Zechariah 4:6.

He is survived by his wife, Dianne Thomas-Banda, his sons Thabani Banda (Marnie), Thembelani Banda, daughter, Nomandla Banda; stepsons, Alvin Thomas (Mandie), Eric Thomas, Charles Kwartang (Jheni); grandchildren, Abdulrahman Banda, Aasiya Banda, and Jayden Thomas; brother, Andrew Banda; sisters, Sukolwhle Banda, Edna Nthinda; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father Alfred Banda and his mother Cecilia Banda.

Services will be held Monday, July 11, 2022, at Donaldson Funeral Home of Clarksville, P.A., 12540 Clarksville Pike, RT 108, Clarksville, MD 21029. Public viewing will be at 10:00AM, followed by the funeral service 11:00AM-12:30PM, repass to follow at the same location. The family will hold a private burial. To watch the live-streaming of the Funeral Service starting at 11:00 AM please click HERE.

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