If she had been asked a few years ago whether she would be interested in running for Decatur County Coroner, Charity Banks would have said no. Now, with more experience behind her, she is ready to announce her candidacy as a Republican.

Current Decatur County Coroner Doug Banks, her husband, has served the county for the past seven years with her as his secretary. She has attended six of the past seven coroner’s conferences with him and stepped up as a deputy coroner two years ago, accompanying Doug Banks on his field runs.

She noted she has received encouragement from the community, as well as her family and her husband to pursue this position. With experience and certification as a Medicolegal Death Investigator, achieved in 2009, she feels prepared to take on the task of caring for the community in their times of need.

“I guess I caught the bug he got,” she said.

Doug Banks was trained by Mike Gasper, giving him the skills to handle the delicate situations surrounding area deaths. Charity Banks has learned from her husband and has also seen Gasper at work, she noted.

“I’ve had an excellent teacher in Doug,” she said.

For Banks, it was daunting to imagine heading to a scene to learn it was someone she knew.

“I grew up here,” she noted. “I know a lot of people.”

Now, though, she has come to see that it could be a positive to be familiar with the people with whom she would work.

“It could be good to be there for them, to help them through their agony and sorrow,” she said.

She pointed out that the community would be able to expect the same level of respect they have been accustomed to for the past seven years. Banks also noted that caring for the community she loves in its times of need feels like a great choice for her.

“Everything I’ve ever done, I’ve always given 110 percent,” she said. “I’m going in with both feet, and will give them my all.”