Funeral services for Mrs. Thelma Ray Parks, age 94 of Fayetteville, will be conducted Thursday at 12 PM at Fayetteville First Baptist Church with Rev. Van Johnson officiating. Burial will follow in Lynchburg Cemetery beside her husband Robert C. Parks who passed away in 1998.
She was a native of Florence, AL and the daughter of the late J. Fred and Lucye Haynes Ray. Mrs. Parks graduated from Central High School in 1936. She attended Cumberland University in Lebanon before transferring to Western Kentucky where she graduated with a degree in Vocational Home Economics.
Mrs. Parks was a career teacher and church organist. She taught 6th grade at Robert E. Lee, was an employee of Borden’s, and taught at Flintville High School before transferring to Central High School to teach Home Economics for 25 years.
Thelma was a devoted member of First Baptist Church having served as church organist for 31 years. She rarely missed a Sunday morning, evening, or Wednesday night service throughout her years as full time organist. She played for Sunday School, children’s choirs, summer choir trips, funerals, and weddings. She also served as a Sunday School teacher and member of the Women’s Missionary Union.
Mr. and Mrs. Parks were married for 54 years and raised three daughters, Dorothy Lamb of Petersburg, Donna Campbell (Craig) of Springdale, Arkansas, Lucye Durham (Ralph) of Gallatin, other survivors include grandchildren Robert Lamb (Bonnie) of Atlanta, Georgia, Lucye Lamb of Petersburg, Allison Lamb of Nashville, Kristin (Jared) Brown of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Clayton Campbell of Springdale, Arkansas, Matthew Durham and Alex Durham of Gallatin and one great-grandchild, Jacob Brown.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by brother Robert Ray, sisters Ruth Ray and Doris Moore and devoted son-in-law Dr. Jack H. Lamb.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to the Fayetteville First Baptist Church
music ministry of building fund.
Visitation with the family will be Thursday morning from 10am-12pm at the Fayetteville
First Baptist Church.
Higgins Funeral Home is in charge of services.