Ricky Elliot Parks

Ricky Elliot Parks, resident of the Whiteville Community, retired heavy equipment operator and husband of Judy Stephenson Parks died Sunday morning, February 3, 2013 at the Methodist University Hospital in Memphis where he had been a patient for three weeks. He was 58 years of age and died following an extended illness.

Services of Remembrance for Mr. Parks were conducted at 11 A.M. Friday, February 8th at the Peebles Main Funeral Chapel in Somerville with Rev. David Peace of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church officiating. He was assisted by Rev. Ken Burnette of the Parks Chapel United Methodist Church. Interment will be in the Parks Chapel Cemetery in the District 15 Community of Fayette County. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes and Cremation Center — Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Parks was born February 15, 1954 in Somerville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred E. (Fert) Parks and Lela Bishop Parks, early residents of the District 15 Community. He received his education in the Fayette County Public School System and was a 1972 graduate of the Fayette County High School in Somerville. Mr. Parks was married December 2, 1979 to the former Judy Stephenson of Whiteville, who survives.

Mr. Parks served as a heavy equipment operator for the Fayette County Public Works department for over 23 years before retiring for health reasons three years ago. He was a lifelong resident of the Somerville and Whiteville areas and was a member of the Mt. Moriah Baptist Church at Whiteville.

He was a family-oriented person who will be remembered for his love of humor and enjoyed farm related activities that included cattle and vegetable gardening. Sports and humorous entertainment on television were some of his favorite pastimes.

In addition to his wife of 33 years, Mr. Parks is survived by his daughter, Jessica Ann Parks of Whiteville; two sons, William Andrew “Andy” Parks (Beth) of Somerville, Steve Edward Parks of Memphis; two sisters, Sue Houston (Garner) of Somerville, Judy Wardlow (Gordon) of Memphis; three grandchildren, Colton Fisher Parks, Kaleb Andrew Parks, Makayla Thompson; and one soon to be grandson that will be named Elliot Bishop Parks.

Those honored to serve as casketbearers were Garner Houston, Bobby Joe Phillips, Bobby Bobbitt, Terry Davis, Brandon Boggs and James Thompson.
Honorary casketbearers were Gordon Wardlow, Albert Thompson, Jimmy Powers, Ike Parks and John (Pete) Parks.

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Parks Chapel Cemetery Association, c/o Kay Pickett, 12140 S. Main Street, Somerville, TN 38068.