PARKS Beatrice “Bea” E. (nee: Whitney) 95 of St. Louis, fortified with the sacraments of Holy Mother Church on January 23, 2015. Beloved wife of the late Emery Parks; loving mother of Ray (Betsy) Leach, Roger (Robin) Parks and the late Frank Parks; dear grandmother of Amanda (Russell) Reinhardt, Christina Cain and Kurt (Julie) Ladendorf; loving great grandmother of Laura, Natalee, Allison and Kensi; beloved sister and twin of Ruth Dillow and sister of the late Al Whitney, George Whitney, Robert Whitney and Amuriel Richardson; loving aunt, cousin and friend to many.
Bea grew up in Decatur IL. Growing up during the Great Depression “things were very meager,” she would say. Her father died during the influenza epidemic. From age 2-6, Bea, Ruth and their brother George went to an orphanage until their mother got back on her feet and could bring them home. After high school she went to work in a lamp factory. During the War she met the love of her life Emery and moved to St. Louis to work in the small arms plant. After the war she began working for the Department of Defense in various positions. At one point she worked overseeing the purchase of refurbished box cars and later moved to purchasing helicopters. She retired early so she could spend more time with and care for her beloved Emery. After Emery’s passing not being one to sit idle, Bea decided to go back to school and study nursing at the age of 59. She was told she was too old to study to become an RN so she became an LPN. She was the oldest graduate of the nursing program at that time.
Throughout her life Bea had a tremendous spirit for giving. She volunteered for a number of years at church and with the women’s auxiliary of the Elks Club. She also volunteered for several years. The last 26 years she has volunteered with AARP in various positions at the State and chapter level.
Memorial Mass at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4092 Blow Street, St. Louis, MO 63116 at 11:00 am Tuesday, January 27, 2015. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.hoffmeistersouthcounty.com
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