Mrs. Banks died of complications from a stroke at a Dallas nursing home.

According to Ernie Banks, his mother preferred that he became a minister like one of his grandfathers. However, he said his mother was proud of his 19 years with the Chicago Cubs.

Banks said milestones of his career with the Cubs lined the walls of his mother's home. He said there were pictures of him as he played, as he signed his contract, hitting his 500th home run, and being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Banks was a two-time National League MVP who finished with 512 career home runs. That figure currently ranks 21st among the all-time leaders, but was the eighth-highest when he retired following the 1971 season.

Services for Essie Banks will be held in Dallas on Saturday.