Ernest William Parks

Ernest W. Parks (E.W.), 91, passed away February 10 at his home. He was born February 6, 1922 in Danville, Virginia to the late Noah J. and Nora Newman Parks. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Roy and Everett; one sister, Helen; one son-in-law, John Fleshman; and two grandsons, Jacob Russell and William Gough. He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Louise Hemric Parks, and by all six of their children: Daniel E. Parks (Sandra), Saint Croix, Virgin Islands; David Parks (Deborah), Lexington, Kentucky; Philip Parks (Randy), Flint, Texas; Sharon Russell (Calvin), Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Joy Fleshman-Smith (Robert), Lexington, North Carolina; Paula Antonelli (Ralph), Lexington, North Carolina. He is survived also by ten grandchildren: Betsy Essick (Matthew), Daniel M. Parks (Christy), Joy Carrera (JD), Michelle Fleshman, Jonathan Parks, Christina Parks, Philip Fleshman, Benjamin Parks, Samuel Antonelli, Sharon Antonelli; one granddaughter-in-law, Christiane Russell (widow of grandson Jacob); five step-grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and fifteen step-great-grandchildren. He served his country honorably in the US Army 1940-45. He was in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, when it was first formed. He attained the rank Staff Sergeant. He was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge in Bastogne, Belgium, January 5, 1945, and was awarded the Purple Heart, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign, and the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster medals. He founded Goldfloss Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1954, and pastored her until 1957. He pastored Little Sewell Baptist Church in Rainelle, West Virginia (1957-66) and Hillcrest Baptist Church in Winston-Salem from 1966 until his retirement in 2008. After his retirement he ministered to Morris Fork Baptist Church in Dawson, West Virginia. His funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday, February 15, 2013 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Parkway by his three sons, elders Daniel E. Parks, David Parks, and Philip Parks, and his grandson Daniel M. Parks. His graveside service will be conducted at Parklawn Memorial Gardens by elders Bill James and Mark Minney. The family will receive friends from 5-8pm Thursday evening at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Davidson County, Lexington, North Carolina (telephone 336-475-5444). Online condolences can be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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