- Date Of Birth: March 14, 1916
- Date Of Death: June 30, 2013
- State: Georgia
Mary Wood Parks gently departed this earthly life on Sunday, June 30, 2013. The energetic young girl who would come to be known as “Mary Sunshine” was born March 14, 1916 in Troy, Alabama to the late James Pinkard and Leo Henderson Wood. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings James and Margaret. Mary loved to dance and as a young southern belle, she was well known for this attribute.
She graduated from Troy State Teacher’s College. She was honored in the beauty section of Auburn University’s “The Glomerata.” She attended the University of Alabama where she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and featured in the beauty section of Alabama’s “Carolla” yearbook. On October 4, 1941, she was married to Howard Pickens Parks. For the next 59 years she reveled in fulfilling her responsibilities as a devoted wife, managing a home with three active children, and being a hostess for all occasions. Throughout her life, she was the tireless supporter for her husband in his business and was the consummate volunteer for the organizations in which her children would become involved. One venture that gave her great satisfaction was her collaboration with Howard in founding Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
They envisioned it as a place of permanent beauty and tranquility. She was a charter member of The Driftwood Garden Club, a member of The Newnan Junior Service League, The Newnan Country Club, and any number of bridge clubs. High on her list of priorities, though, was her service through Newnan First United Methodist Church. Her steadfast friends were the members of Mrs. Polly Crowley’s Sunday school class and those who made up her Bible study groups.
Mary is survived by her children, James Pickens Parks and his wife Betty of Titusville, FL, Mary Wood Parks Moor and her husband Ed of Newnan, Howard Pickens Parks, Jr. and his wife Dey of Newnan. Her grandchildren are Jennifer Sabine (Jeff) of Titusville, FL, Bridgette Clements (Brian) of Mims, FL, Eden Tornfelt (Eric) of Charlotte, NC and Pickens Parks of Driggs, ID. Her great grandchildren are Cole, Tanner and Emily Clements. No list of survivors could be complete without including her precious dog “Happy” to whom Mary was deeply devoted and her longtime dedicated friend, Pearl Moreland. As Mary made needed adjustments in her life in her later years, she would come to add another layer of friends as she blended into the family of Wesley Woods and accepted the diligent attention of the caregivers who added so much value to her life. Funeral arrangements are by McKoon Funeral Home 38 Jackson Street in Newnan.
