Louise Parks

Louise Parks 95, passed away April 18th, 2010. She was born in Pocatello, Idaho to S.P., a salesman and Anita Snyder, an interior decorator. Together the family lived in many different cities in the west and Midwest, but her favorite childhood memories are from Oakland Ca., where she had many neighborhood friends, several of whom she had a lifelong friendship with. She graduated from Albuquerque High School, attending Lindenwood Women’s College in Missouri for two years until the Great Depression. She married at the age of 20. During the war she and her first husband worked in the shipyards in Saucelito, California. After the war, they settled in El Paso and had two children, Charles and Anita. In 1957, her husband was killed in a boating accident on Ascarate Lake. So that she could care for her children but still provide a living, she attended Texas Western College, now UTEP, to obtain a teaching degree. She graduated in the top 10% of her class and began her teaching career at Dowell Elementary as a third grade teacher. During her career she taught 2nd and 3rd grades at Travis Elementary School and eventually earned a certificate to teach special education. She loved teaching and her students loved her. When she first started teaching, she had only three dresses for work; one to wear, one to wash, and one to spare. One of her students once asked her why she always wore the same shoes to class, yet she managed to save enough to help send both her children to college. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa Texas Fidelis Mu, an honorary organization for exceptional women teachers and sorority Laureate Delta Beta. She was also a member of Meneely Presbyterian Church where she was faithful in her attendance and giving for many years. After twelve years of widowhood, she met and married the love of her life, Fred Parks. Together they traveled the U.S., Canada, and Europe. Bruce Spruce RV Park in Vallecito, Colorado was their favorite summer home where they enjoyed fishing, fashion shows, skits, BBQ’s and western music entertainment for close to 30 years. Louise dreamed of becoming a dancer when she was young, but became an artist instead. However, at her 90th birthday party she entertained her family and friends at Gunther’s Edelweiss with her rendition of the Charleston. Everyone loved Louise because she was fun-loving, sweet, intelligent, kind and caring. She never raised her voice and always had something nice to say to you. Louise’s many interest included painting, ceramics, playing piano, knitting, sewing, crossword puzzles, and bridge. She was a Voracious reader, her favorite stories being mysteries, westerns, and adventures. She will be remembered for her fabulous sense of humor and the quirky things she did which were so funny and made many great stories. She Is survived by her husband, of 40 years, Fred Parks, two children, Dr. Charles D. Hopkins of Denton, Texas and Anita Hopkins (Thomas Lott) of El Paso, Texas, a step-daughter, Lynn Heckler (John) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, six grandchildren, Lindsey, Alex, Andy, Amy, Nikki, and Kristen and one great-granddaughter, Rhyan. The family would especially like to thank Manny and Shirley Bustamonte for their wonderful friendship and support. Visitation will be from 7-9 pm Thursday, April 22, 2010 with a Funeral Service at 1 pm Friday, April 23, 2010 at Sunset Funeral home-East. Interment will follow at Fort Bliss National Cemetery. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home- East.