Helen Marie Cook Parks
Helen Marie Cook Parks passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Thursday, July 2, 2020. Helen was born September 16, 1922, one of two daughters, to Daniel Hausey Cook and Lucille Davis Cook in Silsbee, Texas. Her sister, Myrtle, was two years older than Helen. She was her best friend and confidant. When Myrtle started school, Helen wanted to go too. Her dad paid for her to start school at the age of four. She occasionally would run home at first to ‘see her Mother’. She finally settled into school where she and Myrtle attended together until graduation. Helen graduated at the age of sixteen years old. Myrtle always joked that Mary had a little lamb and I had Helen. Helen married the love of her life, Bobby Parks, in 1942. They were married nineteen years when he was tragically killed in 1961.
Helen devoted her life to raising her five children after her husband’s death. She was employed at Morris Pharmacy for a brief period. She then went to work for Silsbee Independent School District as the secretary of the Junior High for twenty-three years before retiring. Helen was a faithful member of First Baptist Church, Silsbee, for over seventy years. She served as her Sunday School class Sunshine leader, sending cards and calling class members. Helen and Dorothy Clopp, longtime friend and fellow church member, were part of the video ministry that delivered videos of the Sunday worship services to the members that were shut in or in nursing homes, for many years. Helen had many friends that she loved dearly. She was a friend, mentor, and advocate to the teachers and her fellow secretaries in the district. She was a loving, sweet and friendly face to every student that passed through the school office. She is remembered by many of the students for her kindness of loaning them lunch money, sewing on a button, providing tissues for tears, a needed hug, and allowing them to call someone when they were sick or had forgotten a book or assignment. A common thread of the many comments was ‘how sweet and kind’ Mrs. Parks was to them. She loved the students.
Helen was a devoted Silsbee Tiger fan. She worked all home football and basketball games selling tickets. She enjoyed the opportunity to see and visit with so many in the community that she loved so very much.
Helen will be remembered as a most kind, loving Christian mother, Grandmother and Meme by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Irvin Parks Sr (Bobby); her parents; and her only sister, Myrtle Perkins Caraway. She is survived by her five children, Robert Irvin (Punky) Parks Jr MD (Gretta); Brenda Parks LeDoux (Larry); Phyllis Parks Ginger Sims (Dodd); Beverly Parks Gentry; and Barbara Parks Bowen (Jim); nine grandchildren left to cherish her memory are Julie Parks Seale (Will); Robert Irvin (Robb) Parks III (Allison); Megan Parks Beckner (Thad); Kristi Ginger; Leslie Ginger Perez (Alex); Jennifer Gentry Hinklin (Caleb); Ashley Gentry Falcon; Justin Bowen (Kristen); and Nicholas Bowen (Michelle); and twelve great-grandchildren, Parker Seale, Charlotte Seale, Ben Parks, Lauren Parks, Thad Beckner, Parks Beckner, Connor Hinklin, Tuff Hinklin, Townes Hinklin, Skylar Falcon, Maddux Bowen, and Charlie Mae Bowen.
Her children will always remember that they always had everything they needed and much of what they wanted, but most of all, that they had a mother that loved them unconditionally and the many sacrifices that she made for them. As a single mother of five, her response was always the same when asked how she managed to raise her children alone-God and I did it. She taught them to love the Lord first and their family and friends. She had a servant’s heart and taught her children that, when you can help someone in need, do it. She led by example to live a life of gratitude and thanksgiving. Helen lived a long, wonderful life loved by family and friends and was a blessing to all that knew her.
Special thanks to Best Hospice Care of Texas and all of their staff, especially her special nurse Katie Clark Craigen RN and CNA Kaylee, who cared for mom with love and compassion.
A gathering of Mrs. Parks’ family and friends will begin at 10:00 a.m., with her service at 12:00 p.m., Monday, July 6, 2020, at Broussard’s, 490 Cemetery Road, Silsbee. Her interment will follow at Knupple Cemetery, Silsbee.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Helen’s memory can be made to First Baptist Church, Silsbee, 350 Hwy 96 South, Silsbee, Texas 77656.
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Corona Virus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov
Video
Memorial Contributions
Memorial Contributions
- 350 north 5th street silsbee texas 77656
Knupple Cemetery
Knupple Cemetery
- cemetery rd. silsbee tx 77656
Funeral Service
Funeral Service
- 490 cemetery road silsbee tx 77656
- 07/06/2020
- 12:00 pm
Gathering of Family and Friends
Gathering of Family and Friends
- 490 cemetery road silsbee tx 77656
- 07/06/2020
- 3:52 am
Broussard's Mortuary - Silsbee, TX
Broussard's Mortuary - Silsbee, TX
- 490 cemetery road silsbee tx 77656
Comments
Kristi Sellers
My heart goes out to the Parks family for the loss of their beloved mother and grandmother. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Helen is an outstanding ,Christian woman who was kind to everyone and so loved by all who had the privilege of knowing her loving spirit. Heaven is brighter since her entry. Through my tears, I feel joy at the thought of her being with the Lord and reunited with her beloved Bobby who tragically had to leave her much to early. She bravely and faithfully went on to raise her four children as well as being an asset to her church and community. Although she has departed to a better place of perfect love and peace, her influence on her children, grandchildren, friends, church, and community will live on as her legacy. Peace and love be with you dear Mrs. Parks and family.. Kristi Fuller Sellers
Barbara Richards
Barbara, Keeping you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. You are blessed to have Miss Helen as your mom. She was a special lady!
Allen or Dianne Crook
Such a sweet, compassionate, and loving woman who will be missed by many but also remembered as such. My prayers are with each of you during this time.
Pat Morris Henson
My condolences to all of the Parks family. I have many fond memories of Mrs. Parks, from both the Jr. High campus and her home. There were many occasions that I visited the Parks home with Phyllis. Mrs. Parks was always busy in the kitchen or mostly sewing. She always welcomed me to their home with a smile. My family thought a lot of her and her family. I’m sure she will be greatly missed! Love to the Parks family!
Debbie Richardson Lacey
Barbara Beverley & Brenda so sorry for your loss of a very kind sweet loving lady. Sending our thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Margaret Richardson & Debbie Lacey
Keith June
My condolences to the Parks family. I have had the blessed to serve with and worship with Mrs. Phyllis Parks Simms. Phyllis is great joy and has become a dear friend. While I never had the opportunity to have met Mrs. Parks, I feel I know her as her daughter, Phyllis, has spoke often of her mother, and always with a spirt of joy and gladness. As reading her obituary, she was quite a person having lived a life of service to others. I feel honored and blessed to have known her through her daughter. This world was blessed with a loving and faithful service who gave so much of herself to others. I wish the family of Mrs. Parks, peace as they make this very difficult walk. Condolences, Keith June
Cynthia Taylor Carlson
I am so very saddened to hear of the passing of Helen Parks. She was truly one of the sweetest women ever to have crossed my paths. I knew her almost my entire life as I knew and was friends with most of the family. She is now reunited with the love ic her life and is in no more pain. All if the family has my deepest sympathies and prayers during this very difficult time.
Leslie Cobble Pember
I was so sad to read about Mrs. Parks. I was one of her student office aides in Junior High and loved working with her. She was loved by everyone. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. She was a very special lady.
Trudis (McLaughlin) Hollyfield
My heart is sadden for the passing of this Dear Sweet One.. It has been an honor and privilege to know and love this Amazing Beautiful Unique Christian Lady and her family all of my life... Our mothers were "BEST FRIENDS FOREVER" and now they are together again..May they rest in peace with family and The HEAVENLY Father. HELEN will ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED WITH LOVE AND SADLY MISSED BY ALL WHO KNEW HER..SHE IS IN A MUCH BETTER WORLD THAN WE... OUR SINCERE SYMPATHY, LOVE AND PRAYERS TO THIS SPECIAL FAMILY. GENE & TRUDIS (McLaughlin) HOLLYFIELD
GERALD "JERRY" and SHARON McLAUGHLIN, Kerrville, Texas
What a great legacy HELEN MARIE PARKS left for her immediate family to treasure & to be proud of. And those of us who were friends of Helen for a lifetime cherish our many memories of her also. Sharon & I were saddened to learn of Helen's passing. Our prayers and sympathies are extended to each of Helen's children, grandchildren, and other family members.
Angela Downs Chesnutt
My thoughts and prayers are with Helen's children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. May the many wonderful memories each has carry them through this difficult sad time. May the Lord grant you peace that surpasses all understanding as only he can. I always felt like I knew this sweet lady from the great stories I'd hear through the years from my dear friend, Beverly. My heart aches for her sons and daughters because of the void that this dear woman leaves, but I also know that they know she is rejoicing in heaven.
David Bush
What a wonderful, sweet, and kind lady! Silsbee Tiger through and through. She had such a positive influence on so many students in the SISD. It was an honor to have known Mrs. Parks. Sincere condolences to the Parks family.