Ruth Smith Parks

Ruth Smith Parks ,98, died peacefully on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Ellen Sager Retirement Center in Union, SC.

She was predeceased by her parents Frank and Bessie Edwards Smith of Union, her husband of 59 years Thomas Bailey Parks, and her son William Mark Parks.

She is survived by her daughter Caroline Parks Crocker and husband Wayne of Spartanburg and her son Thom Parks of Moore and three grandsons , Jeff and wife Yvette of Spartanburg, Scott and wife Kathleen of Philadelphia and Rhett and wife Carrie of Charlotte, NC.

She is also survived by eight great grandchildren: Rachel Crocker Nance and husband Sean, Caitlyn Ruth Crocker, Ella Elizabeth Crocker, Henry Thomas Crocker, Luke Joseph Crocker, Sophia Marie Crocker, Lily Caroline Crocker and Mason Thomas Crocker.

The oldest of seven siblings, Mrs. Parks is also survived by two sisters, Betty Smith Groce of Spartanburg and Joann Smith Sweatt of Union and was predeceased by her brother Frank(Buck)Smith and three sisters, Cornelia (Neely)Smith Lawter, Sara Smith White and Louise Smith Price.

A devoted Christian who loved her church, Ruth was an active member of the Loyalty Sunday school class and the Eugenia Smith Circle.  She was also a gracious and thoughtful wife, mother, grandmother and a selfless friend to all who knew her.  Her heart was always filled with love, and her favorite quotation by Mother Teresa best exemplifies her life.  

                    Spread love everywhere you go, first of all in your own

                    house.  Give love to your children, to your wife or husband,

                    to a next-door neighbor.  Let no one ever come to you without

                    leaving better and happier.  Be the living expression of God’s kindness:

                    kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile,

                    kindness in your warm greeting.

Services for Mrs. Parks will be held at the S.R. Holcombe funeral chapel at 11 o’clock on Wednesday, November 18, and conducted by the Rev Merritt Wentz.  The family will receive friends in the chapel immediately following the service.

She will be buried at the Forest Lawn Cemetery next to her husband and her son. Due to COVID interment will be private.

Pallbearers will be her son Thom, her son-in-law Wayne Crocker, grandsons Jeff, Scott and Rhett Crocker, Brad Valentine, Lynn Eaves, Mike Phillips and Grady Evans.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Duncan Acres United Methodist Church, 417 Rice Avenue, Union.

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