Mary Elizabeth Parks

Mary “Nana” Elizabeth Parks aged 82 went home to be with the Lord on March 4, 2024 after a long and brave battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Mary was born on January 2, 1942 to the late Lucy and William Carl Thompson of the Ochre Hill Community.

Mary was a member of Ochre Hill Baptist Church, where she faithfully served the Lord as a member of the kitchen committee and church secretary. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to everyone who met her. Family meant everything to Mary and she will be remembered by her family for cooking Sunday Morning breakfast for her husband, children, and grandchildren who were her pride and joy.  She was a loyal employee of CJ Harris Hospital for 45 years before retiring to spend more time with her family and friends.

Mary is survived by her husband of over 60 years Harold Parks, son Mike Parks (Connie Parks), daughter Cindy Henson (Stacy Henson), grandson Taylor Parks, granddaughter Sydney Henson (Amanda Seabolt), great-grandson Archie Seabolt-Henson, brother Jerry Thompson, sister Edna Scott, as well as several  nieces and nephews that she loved like her own.

Visitation will be held from 12:30PM-2:00PM, on Saturday March 9, 2024, at Ochre Hill Baptist Church, 14 Norman Drive, Sylva NC, with a Funeral Service following at 2:00PM.  Interment will follow at Norman Blanton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ochre Hill Baptist Church Mission Team 14 Norman Drive, Sylva NC 28779.

"How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard."         -Winnie the Pooh-