Georgia Parks

Order of Service Prelude “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”~“His Eye Is On The Sparrow” Hymn Medley Invocation Ministerial Staff Hymn of Affirmation #508 “Blessed Assurance” Choir and Congregation Scriptural Readings Old Testament: Proverbs 3:14-18 New Testament: Matthew 5:4 Prayer of Comfort Ministerial Staff Selection “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” Brother Cliff Harrington Reflections (3 minutes) Mrs. Rochelle Parks-Yancy ~ Daughter Sis. Lauren Bush ~ Granddaughter Sis. Cynthia Bush ~ Daughter Acknowledgements Dorothea Mbote Obituary “The Lord’s Prayer” (read silently) Selection Sis. Kathleen Tunson Eulogy Dr. Paxton G. Hughes Recessional Hymn “Soon and Very Soon” Choir and Congregation Committal Interment Tuesday, May 17, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. Beverly National Cemetery 916 Bridgeboro Road Beverly, New Jersey 08010 ************************************* Obituary Dr. Georgia Thomas Parks was born on September 9, 1939, in Yazoo City, Mississippi. She was the eldest of the late Annie and Reedy Thomas’ three children. When Dr. Parks was six months old, her parents migrated north, following her uncle to Warren, Ohio.  Her father, Reedy Thomas, secured a coveted job at Republic Steel and they scraped to build a better life. They started out subsisting in an area aptly called “The Bottom”, that was bordered by the local cemetery, railroad tracks, city dump, and steel mill. They overcame the inauspicious beginnings and a lack of formal schooling and eventually purchased a beautiful home (in a better neighborhood!), invested in the stock market and sent their children to college. Dr. Parks was the first person from both sides of her family to graduate from college.  Despite many challenges, she pursued her dream of going to college by securing a scholarship from Central State University, where she earned her B.S. degree in Social Work in 1961.  While in college, Dr. Parks, who was an A student, also enjoyed an active social life.  She was elected Black & Gold Queen by Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity and she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.  After college, Dr. Parks moved to New Jersey, where she worked as a social worker in the mental health profession.  During this time, she earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in 1963 and met her husband, Dr. James Benson Parks, III.  She loved to dance and her husband would happily accompany her on the dance floor, take her to parties/concerts and suffer through many Broadway plays as she was a theatre aficionado.  They were happily married for over 40 years and her husband would proclaim to everyone that he had the best wife in the entire world. While Dr. Parks was a housewife when her three children were young, she eventually resumed her professional career as a licensed social worker when her oldest child entered middle school. Her husband championed her desire to pursue additional studies and she earned her Ph.D in Social Work from Howard University in 1984. She was a Social Welfare Professor at several institutions, including Smith College, Rutgers University, Howard University, University of Massachusetts, Amherst and the University of Nigeria at Nsukka. Dr. Parks was very active in politics. She believed it was people’s civic duty to be involved in their community. Thus, she served in President Jimmy Carter’s administration and in the administration of Massachusetts’ Governor William Weld, who appointed her as an Administrative Law Judge and Commissioner of Civil Rights in Springfield, MA.  People are always surprised to learn she was the official Republican nominee for State Senate in the 32nd District in Ohio and was the Co-chair of Senator Grace Drake’s campaign for Congress. She also ran for State Representative of the 68thDistrict in Geauga County/Northern Trumbull County Township in Ohio. Dr. Parks was one of the original founders of the National Association of Black Social Workers (formed because the original social workers organization wouldn’t allow people of color to join), she was the President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s graduate chapter in Amherst, Massachusetts, and she was a member of the Geauga Historical Society, The Links, Incorporated, The Columbus Symphony auxiliary group, and Jack and Jill of America, among many other organizations She was also a pioneer of change, both within and outside of her household.  At her urging, she and her husband moved from the East Coast to the West Coast for him to attend the University of Oregon, where he earned his doctorate degree. Dr. Parks also participated in the 1963 March on Washington and fought for equal housing rights in New Jersey. She encouraged everyone to pursue their dreams and thrived on trying new and exciting things. Towards this end, Dr. Parks was instrumental in moving her entire family to Nigeria for two years, where they gained international experience. She and her husband were professors at the University of Nigeria at Nsukka, while her kids attended area schools. The family traveled around the region, in Nigeria, Republic of Benin and Ghana. Among her many notable accomplishments, Dr. Parks was inducted into the Warren G. Harding High School Hall of Fame, received the keys to the city, and was lauded in the U.S. Congressional Record. Dr. Parks’ husband, Dr. James Benson Parks III, preceded her in death in 2004.  She is survived by her children, Cynthia Parks Bush, Dr. Rochelle Parks-Yancy, and James Benson Parks IV; her brother, Reedy Thomas, Jr.; sister, Cynthia Thomas; grandchildren, Lauren Ann Bush, Alicia Marie Bush, and Romeo Yancy; son-in-laws, Clarence Raymond Bush, III and Malcolm Yancy, and her niece, Jenacyn Nicholson. She was devoted to her family and friends, lived for music, had a beautiful voice, and killer dance moves.  Her primary interests were her family, reading the newspapers daily, watching the news, participating in politics, and being involved in community events. We will always treasure her beautiful smile, infectious laugh, larger than life personality and core happiness of heart. We thank God for her everlasting essence. ************************************ “On Eagle’s Wings” When tomorrow starts without me and I’m not here to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me. I wish you wouldn’t cry the way you did today, While thinking of the many things we did not get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you. Each time that you think of me, I know you will miss me too. When tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand. The angel said my place was ready in heaven far above And that I would have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But when I walked through Heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me from His golden throne. He said this is Eternity and all I promised you. Today for life on earth is done, but here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, for today will always last. And since each day’s the exact same way, there is no longing for the past. So when tomorrow starts without me, do not think we’re apart. For every time you think of me, remember I’m right here in your heart. ~ Author, David M. Romano ********************************* “Phenomenal Woman” Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. ********************************* I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me. ************************************* Floral Bearers Friendship New Perspective Ministry Pall Bearers Clarence Raymond Bush, III ~ James Benson Parks, IV Malcom Yancy ~ Friendship Brotherhood Ministry Acknowledgements We truly thank you for the many loving expressions of sympathy extended to us. Your prayers have strengthened us, your calls lifted our spirits and your words have soothed our aching hearts. The many loving acts bestowed upon us have served to inspire us as we walk through this valley. We ask that you keep us in your prayers through this period of adjustment. Special thanks and love to Clarence Raymond Bush, III, “Ray”, who has been loving, caring and a veritable rock in the midst of it all. …...Her loving Family In lieu of flowers please send donations to: The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Scholarship Fund with Dr. Georgia Parks in the memo section. 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