Berniece D. Parks

Berniece Dean Avery Parks, a classic 1950’s “Leave it to Beaver” era mother passed away on January 31, 2014 following a lengthy illness. Graveside services will be held at 2:00p.m., Wednesday, February 5, 2014 in Elmwood Memorial Park Cemetery with Mike Jones officiating under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 Hwy 277 South. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6 to 8p.m. at the funeral home.

Berniece was a stay at home mom and her home and family were the most important things in her life. She loved to grow roses and as she declined in health it was one of her great sorrows not to be able to tend to them. She greatly missed her husband upon his death and now has happily rejoined him in Christ’s rose garden in heaven.

One of six children, Berniece was born on November 16, 1930 in Eula, Texas to Grover and Ora Avery. Her family moved to Baird, Texas early in her childhood. She attended Baird Schools graduating in 1948. She married the love of her life, Jesse Parks, on May 29, 1948 in Abilene, Texas. They lived in Baird, Texas until 1965 when they moved to Abilene where they spent the rest of their lives. Berniece and Jesse were blessed with three children.

Berniece was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Jesse Parks; her parents, Grover and Ora Avery; brothers, G.C. Avery Jr., Vernon Avery, Kelly Avery, and Douglas Avery; sister, Doris Seale; and her great-grandson, Samuel Reagan Parks.

Survivors include her sons, Robert Parks and wife, Jackie of Breckenridge, Steve and wife, Trina of Tuscola; daughter, Teresa Parks of Houston; grandsons, Zach Parks and wife, Della of San Angelo, Lt. Steven H. Parks USN and wife, Katie of Long Beach, Mississippi, Jesse Clewis of Houston, Dylan Clewis of Houston, Shaun Threadgill of San Antonio; granddaughters, Stephanie Cook and husband, Brian of Pleasanton, Texas, Avery Parks of Austin, Texas, and Miranda Hunter of Kingwood, Texas; 7 great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Berniece was a caring and loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great- grandmother and will be greatly missed by friends and family. She was a member of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.

The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at The Oaks at Radford Hills for their professional and wonderful care they gave to Berniece and to Dr. Elliott Vann for his professional and compassionate care in her later days.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Meals On Wheels, 717 N. 10th St., Abilene, TX 79601.