Maureen A. Parks

1930 – 2022

Maureen Auxford Tyson Parks, 92, graduated into Heaven on October 24, 2022. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, mother-in-law and friend. Affectionally known as Bumbum, she was given that name by her first grandchild Evie. This came about from Maureen’s announcements of her visits with “bum bum bum, here I come”. For family, friends and acquaintances, Bumbum brought love, laughter and joy into their lives. She was an extraordinary and special lady, with a smile that lit up the room and a warm, friendly spirit that drew people to her. Truly, to know her was to love her.

Maureen was born in Opelousas, Louisiana in 1930. She enjoyed claiming her Cajun roots even though she moved to Montgomery at the age of four. She joined First Baptist Church as a child and has been a devoted member throughout her life. Maureen graduated from Sidney Lanier high school and until fairly recently, continued to attend class reunions. Upon graduation she attended the University of Alabama.

In 1951 she married Walter Bragg Tyson, known as Wardy, one of the Tyson twins - Tommy was his identical twin brother. Maureen and Wardy were blessed with three beautiful daughters, Maureen, Evelyn and Tricia, while Tommy and his wife Alice had three sons Tommy, Fred and Johnny. As you can imagine with identical twins, the two families were extraordinarily close and their children were more like siblings than cousins. Even in her last years, Maureen and Alice were next door neighbors at Oak Grove Inn.

Maureen was a loving mother and wife. She was dedicated to her family, always involved in the community, was a Junior Thespian and an active member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and G.A.’s and was heavily involved in the W.M.U. Maureen was a long standing member of the Martha Chandler Sunday School Class which she loved dearly. After Walter’s untimely death at the youthful age of 43, Maureen grieved the loss, but continued to raise her daughters and provide for the family by becoming a licensed realtor, and later a partner in the Trousseau Shop, a popular boutique.

Ten years later Maureen fell in love and married Darrell “Pop” Parks, a very gentle and kind man, who also had a great smile and laugh! The marriage was celebrated and embraced by both the Tyson and Parks families, and Bumbum’s family of children and grandchildren increased. Bumbum and Pop enjoyed and dearly loved their families. They were a very special and much loved grandparent team and their children and grandchildren were wonderfully blessed by Bumbum and Pop’s involvement in their lives.

Maureen is survived by three daughters Maureen Tyson Forston Hargarten and her husband Fran, Evelyn Tyson Garrett and her husband Rush, and Patricia Tyson Dunn and her husband Mike; step-son Jack Darrell “Skip” Parks and his wife Nancy; fifteen grandchildren and twenty one great-grandchildren.

The last few years of Bumbum’s life have been enriched by her caregivers. We are so thankful for their kindness and attentive care. To Rosie Favor, Herioman McCall, Staci Harrio, Sharayne Simmons, Vanessa Seabon, Patsy, Lela and several others, our family will be forever grateful.

As we look back on Bumbum’s life, there are so many fond, happy memories to embrace and cherish. We had many family gatherings with all three daughters and their families crowded into the cabin at Lake Martin, beach trips and even a ski outing where Bumbum rode the lift to the top of the mountain for a family photo – holding skis as if she actually was skiing down the mountain, not riding the lift. She was an enthusiastic fan of the Crimson Tide, and watching an Alabama football game with her was a special Roll Tide experience. Fun times, precious memories, family gatherings, lots of love, laughter and joy – with Bumbum as the family matriarch. She will be missed dearly and loved forever.

Heaven is celebrating her arrival. She was concerned about 43 year old youthful Walter seeing her as an elderly (but still beautiful!) 92 year old. But we know age is not a factor in her new heavenly home, and those who got there before her will have a joyous reunion with sweet Maureen who is, no doubt, smiling and laughing with loved ones and praising Jesus for bringing her home. We love you Bumbum! A visitation will be held at First Baptist Church, 305 S. Perry St., in the Stakely Sanctuary on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 11:00 am followed by a Memorial service at 12:00 pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WhiteChapel-GreenwoodFH.com for the Parks family.