Betty Parks

Betty left this earth to walk with the Lord on February 12th, 2018. She was ready to leave her earthly body and join those that had gone before. Those she left behind were not ready but God has his own plans. Betty was born in Newport, Oregon on October 6th, 1934 to Charles and Maude (Black) Howry. The third child and only daughter of four, known to her family as Betty Jean. She attended school in Newport graduating from the 8th grade in the building that now houses the Newport City Hall. Her family relocated up the Big Elk just above Elk City where she would attend high school in Toledo, graduating in 1952. After high school she enrolled in nursing school for a while in Portland but felt the pull of her life in Toledo returning home to marry her high school sweetheart Bud Parks March 27th, 1954. They began their life in Toledo and welcomed their first son, Dan. Then moving to the place all four children would know as home between Eddyville and Toledo. Betty loved animals and being outdoors. She was a typical country girl, strong of body and will. This would serve her well as the next three children came along, two more boys (Rex and Roy) and a girl (Dale). Horses, cows, sheep and chickens were kept on their property along with numerous cats and dogs. Hunting, fishing, camping, and later watching her grandchildren grow was simple pleasures that she enjoyed throughout her life. She came to know the Lord as her Savior early in life, was baptized at age 32 and continued to learn and grow throughout her 83 years. A member of the Eddyville Community Church, she taught Sunday school, vacation bible school and Good News Club for years amassing a large personal collection of flannel stories. It's staggering to think of all the young lives that Betty touched in sharing about the Lord Jesus Christ. Betty worked as a cook at the Toledo High School for a few years after the youngest went to school. When her own mother died young she left that job feeling that she was needed at home. Later after all her children had either married or left home she began working for the Lincoln County elections at polling sites moving into a part time job in the clerk's office which led to a full time job where she retired after nearly 22 years as the Chief Deputy Clerk for Lincoln County in 2011. While in the hospital, Betty could not understand why people were making over her. She felt she had not done anything to deserve it. She was told that all the lives she has touched were too many to recite. The old movie "It's a Wonderful Life" came to mind. Many aspire to be like Betty, young and old alike. A more thoughtful and caring wife, mother, grandmother and friend none could ask for more. Betty leaves behind her children. Sons, Dan of Eddyville, Rex of Sisters, Roy of Burnt Woods, daughter Dale (George) of Philomath and daughter-in-law Vickie of Sisters, 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Brother, Jon (Doreen) of Toledo and her beloved cats Isis and Izzy. Interment will be at the Eddyville Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Pot Luck will be held at the Eddyville Charter School, Saturday, February 24th at 2:00 p.m. All who knew and loved her are welcome. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made in Betty's name to a church of choice or the Eddyville Cemetery Association c/o Don Reed, 26281 Hwy 20, Eddyville, OR 97343.

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Betty Parks

October 6, 1934 - February 12, 2018