Mrs. Josephine Gaither Parks, of 250 Long Street, Statesville, N.C., was born in Iredell County on April 27, 1936, and was the daughter of the late Albert and Lorene Patterson Gaither. She passed away at Iredell Memorial Hospital on Monday morning, February 15, 2021.

She was married to David Parks, who preceded her in death. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by two grandchildren, Paul Mulkey and Lakeshia Parks; two brothers, Hugh Gaither and Johnny Gaither; and a sister, Frances Wilkins.

She attended Morningside High School and was a faithful member of First Baptist Church on Garfield Street, serving on numerous committees over the years. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister and friend.

She leaves to remember the blessing of her life her children, Phyllis Perrin of the home, Paulette (Jasper) Yates, Ernestine (Rudolph) Millsaps, Albert Perrin, Karen (Vernon) Tomlin, Tracy (Joe) Rucker, Lorna Bailey and Sharon Parks, all of Statesville, and Alisha Jenkins of Albany, Ga.; one sister, Flora Griffin of Statesville; her grandchildren, Michael Perrin, Joetrina (Tim) Blackmon, Joe Sherrill, Al Perrin, Kenan Myers, Jennifer McKay, David Rucker, Leslie Rucker, Joe Rucker III, Terry Turner Jr., Ashley Holbrook, Brian McClelland, Kendric Parks, and Shauna Redmon; and a host of great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, The First Baptist Church Family, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 1 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Mrs. Parks will lie in state thirty minutes prior to the service at the church. Reverend J. W. Brunson will officiate and burial will follow at the St. Joseph Baptist Church Cemetery.

There will be no public visitation. During to the COVID-19 pandemic, Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, along with other funeral homes across the country, has been issued a mandate to limit the number of family and/or friends at funeral services.

You can also view Mrs. Park’s remains virtually on-line at www.youtube.com. Search Josephine Parks’ Viewing.

Visit the Book of Memories for Mrs. Parks at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Parks Family.