Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Greater Powell Chapel AME Church in Grenada for Ethel L. Parks, 91. Visitation was held from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday July 14, at Skeeter Robinson Funeral Home in Grenada.
Ethel Lee (Edmond) Parks, affectionately known as “Baby Doll” by those closest to her, entered this life on Feb. 1, 1932, in Grenada, the third child of eight of William H. Edmond and Classie (Mosley) Edmond.
After high school, Ethel went on to pursue her college education at Alcorn State University and was active with the alumnae chapter until she was unable to participate. After graduating from college, she met and married Oliver Parks on March 10, 1957. They moved around a couple times when Mr. Parks was serving in the United States Army to Fort Riley, Kansas and Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. They celebrated their 66th anniversary this past March. To this union five children were born.
Upon their return to Grenada, Ethel taught home economics in Water Valley early in her career and later became a nutritionist for North Mississippi Head Start Centers. After retiring, she worked with ICS Headstart and became the director of The Greater Powell Chapel Day Care before fully retiring.
Ethel enjoyed working her crossword puzzles and chatting with her two closest friends, Theota Bew and her sister-in-law, Mattie Edmond. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who always kept up with everyone’s birthdays. She was also a dedicated member of Greater Powell Chapel for many years. She served on the Missionary Society, adult choir and served on the Steward Board.
Ethel was well known for her delicious cakes and homemade crescent rolls as well as her kind and gentle spirit. She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ethel was the last living sibling of her eight brothers and sister. One son, Kirvin L. Parks Sr., and two grandsons, Macario Steele and Kirvin Leroy Parks Jr., preceded Ethel in death.
Ethel leaves to cherish her memories, her husband, Oliver Parks; her children Montez (Jerlin) Parks of Canton, Keith (Debbie) Parks of Lorton, Va., Janice (James) Hudson of Paducah, Ken., and Jeffrey Parks of Grenada; grandchildren, Goza Parks of Chicago, Ill., Tamekia Fields of Cordova, Tenn., Phillip (Ericka) Hudson of Paducah, Ken., William Parks of Canton, Ryan (Whitney) Hudson of Paducah, Ken., Bradley Parks of Fairburn, Ga., Kiana Parks of Lorton, Va., and Kirvin Lamar Parks of McKinney, Texas; great grandchildren, Jaylin Suggs, London Fields, Ayanna Hudson and Kirvin Lamar Parks II and a host of nieces and nephews as well as many other friends of her children who adopted her as their mother.
