James Clint "J.C. Parks

Olive Branch, Miss.

James Clint "J.C." Parks of Olive Branch, Miss., died Friday, Sept. 1, 2006, at his home. He was born at Blytheville on May 18, 1928, to the late James Norris "Doge" and Gertie Parks, who lived in the Black Water community. His two brothers, Gerald Lee and Willie Dee, preceded him in death.

Mr. Parks attended school at Black Water No. 2 through the fifth grade. His favorite teacher was Rose Kunkel. He then went to Black Water No. 1 and graduated from the eighth grade. When he was a freshman, Black Water High School consolidated with Manila High School, and he graduated with the Manila Class of 1946.

He enjoyed being with friends and former classmates. He never missed a Black Water or Manila High School reunion. One of his greatest joys, according to his wife Ola, was to give himself the Christmas gift of calling as many of his classmates as he could.

After his high school graduation, Mr. Parks worked for the Piccadilly Cafeteria in Memphis for three years. During World War II, he served in the Army air corp. He then served as a Highway Patrolman in the Memphis area for three years. He spent 32 years as a trucker for Time-D.C. At the time of his death, he was an employee of Dr. Steve Charles of the Retina Institute.

Mr. Parks was a member of the Boulevard Baptist Church. He was a 32nd Degree Mason Normal Lodge. He was interested in helping everyone in his community. He was a Shriner, Scottish Rite.

He is survived by his wife Ola L. Parks; his sons, James Dale parks of Courtland, Miss.; Richard Wayne Parks and Larry Stephen Parks of Memphis, Tenn.; his daughter Barbara Elaine Ferrell of Memphis; his step-daughter Debbie Taylor of Southaven, Miss.; his grandchildren, Scarlett, Aaron, Hunter, Madison, Tyler, and Will; and a great-grandson, Spencer.

Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006, at Memphis Funeral Home Germantown Parkway Chapel with rev. Rodney Alexander officiating. Burial followed in Memorial Hill Gardens in Bartlett, Tenn.

Serving as pallbearers were Clay Wood, Andrew Moore, Floyd Hellums, Marc Whitman, Dave Sprowles, and Tim Redden.

Memorials may be made to Black Water Baptist Church or Manila Alumni Association.