Robert Jackson “Bobby Jack” Parks, 90, of Jackson, MS passed away on January 12, 2022, at his home in Jackson, Mississippi. He was born in 1931 in Winston County, Mississippi, to Richard “Dick” and Lillie Leona Parks. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1953 and served two years in Korea and later in Hawaii. He graduated from Mississippi College in 1959 with a degree in Business. Mr. Parks retired from the United States Post Office after many years of faithful service. He was married to Dorothy “Dot” Gregory in 1952, and they were happily married for almost 70 years. They had two children, Robert and Lisa.
“Bobby Jack”, as his friends called him, was an inspiration to all that knew him. He loved gardening, collecting antiques, and he especially loved music. He loved all instruments, but loved spending time playing his guitar and mandolin most. He spent many Sunday afternoons at the Natchez Trace Visitors center in Clinton with his granddaughter Sydney-Kirk as a member of the Shade Tree Musicians. They were often joined there by other family members from time to time. He was famous for his home grown tomatoes and could be found at various times during the summer selling them in front of his home in Jackson. Despite his many musical performances, he made no show of his life. He was a working man. He worked the Garden, the Guitar, and his soul with God. He was a member of First Baptist Church Jackson where he was an active and faithful member and often served as an usher.
Bobby Jack had many talents and loves, but he loved his family, especially his grandchildren, the most. He was the singular patriarch of the family, and they all adored him.
Bobby is survived by his wife Dot Parks; son, Robert Parks of Nashville, Tennessee; daughter Lisa Patti and husband Mike of Jackson, Mississippi; granddaughters Lauren and her husband Kyle Tsao of Braxton, Mississippi; Allison Parks of Braxton, Mississippi; Sydney-Kirk and her husband Austin Vaughan of Madison, Mississippi; Weslee Parks Patti of Jackson, Mississippi; and grandson, Gregor Patti of Jackson, Mississippi. Bobby Jack is also survived by three brothers, Billy, Mack, and Albert Parks.
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, June Shelton and Kathleen Hemphill.
Visitation will be Saturday January 15th, at First Baptist Church Jackson from 9:30 am to 11:00 am. Funeral Service will immediately follow in the sanctuary at the church. Burial will be at Liberty Church in Noxapater, Mississippi following the service.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
Graveside service and burial for Ms. Mae, 68, will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, January 15, 2022 in the Bethsalem M.B. Church Cemetery, Ackerman, MS. Visitation will be Friday, January 14, 2022 from 12PM - 5PM at Taylor Funeral Service Chapel, Louisville, MS.
Mae was born on May 29, 1953 in Ackerman, MS. She was the proud daughter of the late Deacon W.D. Shumaker and Otie Shumaker. She accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She graduated from Ackerman High School. Mae lived a majority of her life in Chicago, Il on 47th Indiana. She was loved by many people in the community because of her caring personality and comforting spirit. She worked for Village Food Grocery Store for over 10 years. Mae left Chicago and returned to Mississippi to spend her later years with her remaining brother and sisters. After relocating from Chicago, she joined Bethsalem M.B. Church in Reform, MS. Mae loved her children and grandchildren with all of her heart.