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.
14 Comments To "Thelma Ray Parks"
#1 Comment By Amy Osteen On September 11, 2012 @ 8:25 pm
She is at home now. Mrs. Parks was one of the sweetest persons I’ve ever known. May God be especially close to you all at this time. Because He lives, Amy S. Osteen
#2 Comment By Patricia Ward Bryant On September 11, 2012 @ 9:56 pm
She was the sweetest and kindess lady when she taught school at Flintville High School and I was her neighbor when I lived in Mr. & Mrs Storey’s apartment.
#3 Comment By Janice Moore Gregory On September 11, 2012 @ 9:57 pm
Mrs. Parks was such a lovely lady. She will be truly missed. I remember her as the organist at FBC and going on all the youth mission trips and playing for them. She is playing in heaven now for our heavenly father and the angels. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless, Janice and Brent Gregory
#4 Comment By Lana Graves On September 11, 2012 @ 10:00 pm
Such wonderful memories of Mrs. Parks when I would visit Dorothy Sue when we were growing up. Also, such good memories of her playing the organ where I went to church as a child.
#5 Comment By Bob & Cindy Dunivan On September 11, 2012 @ 10:52 pm
A true woman of excellence, Mrs. Parks showered everyone around her with love. We had the wonderful experience of knowing her as a teacher, friend, and woman of God. We are thankful to have had the influence of Mrs. Parks in our lives. Today there is beautiful music in Heaven as she visits with family and friends and the Savior that she loved and served so much.
Thank you Thelma Parks for everything!
Bob & Cindy Dunivan
#6 Comment By Betty Z. Smith On September 12, 2012 @ 12:28 am
Mrs. Parks was a gracious lady & gifted musician whom I had the pleasure of knowing and working with at First Baptist Fayetteville from 1973 to 1980. In June 1973 I was part of the youth group going to Mansfield, OH; she was a chaperone & choir accompanist. In 1974 I became church pianist & Mrs. Parks was always as sweet as she could be, charming & patient (and marvelously proficient on piano & organ). When David & I moved to Huntsville, AL in 1980, she composed a lovely poem for our going-away reception. I will always remember Mrs. Parks as a true Christian servant, displaying the fruit of the Spirit and showing cheer and joy. My condolences to the family and may you cherish her memory and be comforted in the days ahead.
#7 Comment By JILL DURHAM On September 12, 2012 @ 11:21 am
My thoughts and prayers are with this family. Mrs. Parks was one of my favorite teachers of all times. We learned so much in her class not only about home economics but also about life. Those of us who had the opportunity to be in her class are truly blessed!
#8 Comment By Ben King On September 12, 2012 @ 3:39 pm
Your mother was so much a part of our time at First Baptist. Good memories. What an amazingly talented lady. What an excellent example of faith lived.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you as you say goodbye.
Benny King
#9 Comment By Floyd and Imogene Cartwright On September 12, 2012 @ 7:31 pm
Dear family members , our heartfelt sympathy to all of you over the loss of your dear family member.
May your fond memories help you to get through this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
God bless!!
Floyd and Imogene
#10 Comment By Peggy G. Bevels On September 12, 2012 @ 8:43 pm
Sending my deepest sympathy to all the family. Mrs. Parks was such a sweet lady and will be missed by so many. I pray that your sweet memories bring comfort to you at this difficult time.
In Christian Love,
Peggy Bevels
#11 Comment By Mary Partin On September 13, 2012 @ 6:42 am
We are sorry for your loss. May God help you & your family now & through the days ahead. God Bless, Mr. & Mrs. Willie C McGehee, Billy McGehee, Mary & Teresa Partin
#12 Comment By Peggy Mitchell On September 13, 2012 @ 6:15 pm
Dorothy and Family
May I express my sincere sympathy to your precious family
on the loss of your mother and grandmother. Dorothy, I was not acquainted with your mother, but I know she must have been a great mom to have raised such a sweet, caring, neighborly daughter as you. My love to all the family.
#13 Comment By Johnny & Wanda King On September 15, 2012 @ 2:55 am
If we had to describe Mrs. Parks in just one word; well, one word would not be sufficient. The word “faithful” would only be a start. We knew her from First Baptist in earlier years; and were blessed by her wonderful musical ability. (She played at our wedding almost 48 years ago.) We can easily believe that she has heard those words we all long to hear one day, “Well done my good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord.” – Our condolences to the family that we know will miss her.
#14 Comment By Katie Wiseman Womack On September 20, 2012 @ 3:38 am
Dorothy:
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear Mother. I just read it in the Exchange. May God put His loving arms around you and comfort you in this very difficult time. I know how hard it is to lose your mother. There is a special bond with a Mother and child.
I had Home Econ. in your Mother’s class. She was a very good teacher and a kind-hearted woman. I know you have a whole in your heart right now. I will be praying for you.
I think of you often. Your husband, Dr. Lamb, was my dentist. I still can’t believe he is gone. I also know how it feels to lose your mate. You have had a lot of pain to go through, and I hope it is getting a little easier for you. It takes a very long time for the pain to ease up, but it will. Just lean on God and your family and friends, and that helps a lot.
May God bless you and your family.
Sincerely,
Katie (Wiseman) Womack