Mary Lizzie Parks Obituary in Eatonton at Bernard's Family Funeral Care, LLC.

Obituary For Mary Lizzie Parks

“A Chapter Completed, A Page Well-Turned, A Life Well-Lived, and a Rest Well-Earned.”

Mary Lizzie Parks was born on November 27, 1921, in Putnam County to Silas "Cap" and Margaret Johnekins. To this union 11 children were born. As a little girl she went to school in Greene and Putumn Counties. The family started worshipping at Jefferson Baptist Church in Eatonton, Georgia. She graduated from high school in the 9th grade.

In 1937 she married Eddie Louis Parks and to the union there were five children born Dorothy, Eddie, Mary Ella, Evelyn, and James. After getting married she moved to Madison and started working at the Fews Café downtown Madison.

From 1939 to 1940 she taught school in Madison, Georgia for a short time. After working at Fews Café she started to work as a homemaker, babysitter, midwife, and in the cotton fields. She worked for the Thurmond and Booth families as a housekeeper and babysitter. The family was back and forth to Miami because of seasonal work but Madison is where she spent most of her life.

In 1958 Bessie Grimes who was her aunt started to teach her how to press black hair using a heavy kitchen fork and taught her how to make curls using her fingers. After finishing a beauty course through the mail and passing it, Mary was then asked to go to Augusta, Georgia and complete the clinical part to get her license in the State of Georgia. She passed and got her beautician license.

Once she came back home to Madison her father Cap Johnekins, who was a farmer told Mary that he had a small piece of land and could build her a shop. The shop turned out to be 564 square feet. He used old wood and constructed it by hand. Parks Beauty Shop was opened in 1959. Mrs. Parks opened one of the first African American owned business in Madison, Georgia.

Mary retired in 2004 after being in business for 45 years. After retirement she continued to support the field of cosmetology and encourage young hairstylist to appreciate the field.

She has received awards from Bonner Brothers in Atlanta and Dudley’s School of Cosmetology in North Carolina. In 2015 she was honored as one of the living legacies in Morgan County by the Morgan County African American Museum. In 2015 Mary was asked to participate in an interviewing session for a documentary film on World War II and how it affected lives during that era. Mary accomplished so much during her 101 years from being born by the tree beside the Oconee River to leaving a legacy that will live on through generations.

Mary Parks leaves to cherish her memory three devoted children Eddie (Lois)Parks, James (Leanne)Parks, Mary Ella Jackson. Two children preceded her in death Dorothy Parks and Evelyn Parks Peters. One son-in-law Johnny Peters. One sister Susie Mae Gibbs. Eight grandchildren: Carmen (Robert)Smith, Chandra Dowdell, Targie (Mario)Folds, Chiquita Parks, Kiara (Demetrius)Clayton, Ceondra (Anthony)Jelks, Cameron Jackson, and Brandon Parks. Great-Grandchildren: Aleric, Addonis, Jamaal, Jaila, Javez, Avery, Trenton, Tristen, CJ, Camarion, Naydia, Kaitlyn, Zanarious, Caleb, Emory, Devin, Camden, Ajah,and Kai; great-great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

Services will be held 12:00 P.M. Friday, December 23, 2002 at Calvary Baptist Church, 184 Academy Street, Madison, Georgia Rev. Cecil Champion, officiating. Burial will follow in Madison Memorial Gardens.

A visitation will be held Thursday from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the funeral establishment.

Services entrusted to Bernard's Family Funeral Care, LLC, "The Madison Chapel", 1086 Ward Road, Madison, Georgia 30650.

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Shundolyn Harden sent Garden of Memories for Mary Lizzie Parks - December 20, 2022

Kiara may the precious memories of your grandmother bring you comfort. Your family is in our prayers.
Love, Shundolyn, Stephanie, Sandra, Derreck, Terri, Yolanda, NyEashe,and Elizabeth

Send flowers for Mary Lizzie Parks

I remember your mom may she rest in peace with Jesus

Guy, Mary Ella and James, my deepest condolences to you and your families. Please know that your MOTHER was an amazing person, and she will truly be missed. It is said that a MOTHER is with us always, first in her lifetime, then forever in our memory. Knowing that a MOTHER'S love is unconditional makes losing someone like Mrs. Polly all the more difficult. Among the numerous memories that I will treasure, her kindness and generosity as I prepared to enter college in 1967, is most significant. Her compassionate and thoughtful behavior allowed me to know the full measure of Mrs. Polly's caring and selfless nature. Family and friends alike, during this very challenging and difficult season, please be strengthened and comforted in knowing that there was no one in this world like Mrs. Polly, for she was a very SPECIAL LADY, indeed. Affectionately, Dr. Emma Thomas

I will always love the times I was around Mrs. Polly. Peace and love Kassandra LaGuin

Sending love and prayers to the Parks family. Miss Polly was a beautiful lady and loved by everyone she came in contact with. A life well lived.She will always be in our hearts. Love Rb and Eddie Mae Lewis

Deepest Condolences to the family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of sorrow and always. May God grant you peace and comfort. Cherish the Memories. Cora Collier-Mencer & Family

Prayers for the family! Crew Family

Ms. Polly, as she was lovingly known, held a high place of honor in the Black community. She is the last of the that line of Elders that began at Pearl St. and came on down Bostwick Hwy ending at her residence. They all were strong warriors. To the family I pray God's peace upon you. The sun will shine again. Though she is asleep, she is not dead, for eternal life is promised to all who believe in the Lord. God be with you all. Minister Janet Oliver-Hunter

I know no words to express my sympathy to this family. I am so very sorry to hear of this loss. Mrs. Parks lived a long productive life, and because of this the family should feel comforted. I will always remember the many days/evenings I was in the beauty shop with James and Melvin playing our guitars and the many times I would meet my mom there after having had her hair styled. My most sincere sympathy is extended to the family. Jerry Head, Jr.

Rest in Heaven my sweet Angel. I will love and miss you so much 🥺💔.

Mrs.Parks, better known as "Mrs. Polly", was an amazing, accomplished woman. There was only one Mrs. Polly! May her family and friends remember her zest for life to comfort them at this time. Carol Williams Smith

Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

Bernard's Family Funeral Care, LLC. | GA