Frances Louise Mahaffey Parks, 79, of Hamptonville, N.C., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Born October 18, 1944, in Wilkes County, she was the daughter of the late John Virgil Mahaffey and Stella Mae Ladd Mahaffey.

Louise was one of eleven children who grew up in the North Iredell community and she attended Iredell County schools. She worked several years at Jantzen’s Textiles, but her greatest joy was being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend to many.

Her smile and laughter could light up the room. Louise enjoyed sewing, canning, and was a great cook. She was a member of Union Baptist Church in Hamptonville, where she served by teaching children’s Sunday School classes.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by four sisters, Ruby Cates, Noel Johnston, Ruth Mason and Maxine Shoemaker; and three brothers, infant Curtis Mahaffey, Billy Mahaffey and Arzy Mahaffey. Louise was also preceded by her two children, Deborah Louise Parks Pruitt and Craig Gary Parks.

Those left to cherish her memory are her loving and caring husband of 61 years, Clyde Gary Parks; two grandsons, Matthew Lee Pruitt and Jonathan Gary Pruitt; son-in-law, David Pruitt; two sisters, Evelyn Edwards (Dwight) and Arlene Johnson; and one brother, Larry Mahaffey. Louise is further survived by her sister-in-law, Sharon Thompson (Richard), and a host of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Union Baptist Church, 760 Union Baptist Church Road, Hamptonville, N.C. The service will begin at 3 p.m. with Rev. Kenny Pardue officiating. Louise will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Union Baptist Church.

Words of comfort and memories may be left at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Parks family.