Charlie Hugh Parks

Charlie Hugh Parks was born on April 10, 1944, to the late Hughboy Parks and Wylene Parks in Monticello, GA. After a 16-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Charlie passed away peacefully at his home on the evening of January 19, 2024, with his devoted wife and caregivers at his bedside.

Charlie graduated from Henderson High School in 1963. He honorably served the United States Marine Corps for 5 years after he joined in 1963. During his final two years of service, he worked at the U.S Embassy as an Embassy guard in Tripoli, Libya without leave. He obtained his certification as a licensed electrician from Essex County Technical School. Throughout the years, he served as a licensed electrician for several companies in New Jersey and Georgia. Afterwards, he worked for UPS in New Jersey for several years. Later, Charlie worked for Baxter-Travenol for 30 years and retired in 2008 without missing a day of work or being late.

On July 29, 1967, Charlie married Gwendolyn Louise Ellis in East Orange, New Jersey and from this union four (4) children were born. Charlie was a devoted member of Saint John Lutheran Church in Griffin, Georgia and served on the property committee until he was no longer physically able to do so. He enjoyed traveling throughout the US and around the world with his wife and children. He also loved the outdoors, especially spending several hours doing yard work. He was best known in the communities for providing electrical and other handyman services. Charlie was a devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and great-grandfather to his family. He always made family his top priority. Charlie was a good provider for his family which he did so everyday up until his death. Charlie exhibited the true Marine spirit and lived by the motto of Semper Fi…Always Faithful!

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, three siblings, John Thomas Parks (Mildred), Diane Dean, Carrie Lou Parks; adopted sister Mae M. Morgan; and one brother-in-law, Eugene Greene.

Charlie leaves behind to cherish his memories: Gwendolyn L. Parks, his wife of 56 years; Jennie Ellis, loving mother-in-law; Tiffany Wright (Timothy), Tamekya Trice (Emzell) & Tamra Davenport (Willie), daughters; Tarrell Parks, one son.

He also leaves behind precious and loving memories with; Sarah Joe Clark, first cousin; five siblings, Jean Smith (James), Letha Payne, Oscar Parks (Phyllis), Walli Ghafur, Joyce McKibbens; two sisters-in-law, Beverly Muhammad (Abdul), and Robin Adefioye; one brother-in-law, Sterling Ellis; three nieces, Mashon Onque, Jessica Parks, Brianna Ellis; five nephews, Richard Onque, Dwayne Onque, Juan Williams, Sterling A. Ellis, Nathan Ellis; nine grandchildren, Vincent Thurman II (Velvet), Vintrez Thurman, Victoria Thurman, Jayla Trice, Kayla Trice, Cheyenne Stodghill, Carldarious Parks, Tyrra Parks, Caleb Parks; one step-grandchild, Keondra Trice; three great-grandchildren, Vannah Thurman, Princeton Allen, Violet Thurman; long-time best friend Robert Head (Emma) and a host of family, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, the Class of 1963 and friends.

A visitation will be held Friday, January 26, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Haisten Funerals & Cremations, 1745 Zack Hinton Parkway, McDonough, GA 30253. A funeral service will be held Saturday, January 27, 2024 - 1:00 PM at Saint John Lutheran Church, 1689 Martin Luther King Jr Pkwy, Griffin, GA 30224.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Charlie's memory may be made to the St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital - www.stjude.org or the Parkinson's Foundation - www.parkinson.org.