Thelma C. Parks

Thelma C. Parks, 88, of Valdosta, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2004 at South Georgia Medical Center, following a short illness. Having lived in Valdosta for the past 6 months, she had previously lived on Henson Drive in Albany, GA for 45 years and had many dear friends there. Mrs. Parks was the Valedictorian of her graduating class at Picayune High School in Mississippi. She served as a WAVE in the United States Navy during World War II. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Georgia Southwestern University, in Americus, GA. Mrs. Parks served as a volunteer at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital as a member of the Golden Key Club. She was a dedicated member of the Gold Star Wives of America. Mrs. Parks had a passionate love of gardening and was a member of the Day Lilly Club in Albany. She participated in the Little Theater in Albany and made her stage debut in “Steel Magnolias” at the age of 75. “Miss Thelma” was a dedicated and faithful member of Christian Covenant Church in Albany and attended First United Methodist Church while in Valdosta. Mrs. Parks taught French & English at Radium Springs Jr. High, Tift County HS, Tri-County HS, and Monroe HS. Until recently she taught driving safety classes for senior citizens. She was an avid reader, and most notably, she was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. Mrs. Parks was known as “Ga Ga” to her grandchildren, “Mayor of Henson Drive” to her neighbors, and Thelma to her many friends. Her love of learning, sense of humor, dedication to family, and faith in God will endure as a legacy to her life.

Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Norman & Melba Parks of Montgomery, AL, Charles & Kathy Parks of West Palm Beach, FL, Donald & Anne Parks of Valdosta, GA; a son-in-law, Howard Morgan of Chicago, IL; eleven grandchildren, Catherine (Bart Hollander) Sanderson, of Amherst, MA, Matt (Rory) Sanderson of Chicago, IL, Elaine (Ed) Jones, of Dothan, AL, Shelley Parks, of Valdosta, Amanda (Glenn) Wilkes, of Sylvester, Jonathan Parks, of Boston, MA, Erin Parks, of Valdosta, Lauren Parks, of West Palm Beach, FL, Mitchell Parks, Katie Thomas, and Brent Thomas, all of Valdosta. Also surviving are two sisters, Angie O’Bryant, and Melvina Brooks, both of Bogalusa, LA; seven great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Roland Presnell Parks, and her beloved daughter, Judith Sanderson.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, November 19, 2004 at Andersonville National Cemetery, in Andersonville, GA. A Memorial Service will follow at 4 pm at Christian Covenant Church in Albany, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christian Covenant Church (1105 West 2nd Ave., Albany, GA 31707) or the Gold Star Wives of America (P.O. Box 36986, Birmingham, AL 35236-1986). The family will receive friends at Carson McLane Funeral Home in Valdosta, GA on Thursday evening from 7 until 9 p.m. Condolences may be conveyed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com Carson McLane Funeral Home.



Funeral Home:
Carson McLane Funeral Home
2215 North Patterson Street
Valdosta, GA
US 31602