Marretta “Mary” Ruth Busby Parks
A native of Greenville for over 96 years, Marretta “Mary” Ruth Parks passed peacefully away on November 15th, 2020. She was a resident of Briarcliff Nursing Center for the last year and had previously enjoyed residing at Colonial Lodge Assisted Living. She had a peaceful passing knowing how much she was loved by all five generations of her family.
Marretta was born October 15th, 1924 in Celeste, Texas. She married Willie Parks on December 23, 1946 in Greenville. Willie and Mary raised their family in Greenville and had three sons, Ralph, Orbie and Charles. As her children reached adulthood and left home to serve their country in the military, Mary began working outside the home and was employed by E-Systems. She gave 20 years of service by retirement in 1983.
She was known for her kindness, home-cooked meals and dedication to family; she truly was the glue that bound her family together. She was preceded in death by her father, Orbie Busby and mother, Lucille “Cricket” McWilliams. She was also preceded by her husband, Willie Parks, of 49 years and her middle son, Orbie Parks. Marretta felt blessed to have survived and beaten colon cancer for the last 45 years, the passing of her husband, and the untimely death of her son.
She leaves behind five generations of family; her eldest son, Ralph Parks and his wife, Francine, Donna Parks, widow of Orbie, and her youngest son, Charles Parks. In the last 50 years of her life, she was known as Memaw to her grandchildren which include Sherry Parks Smith, Carissa Parks and Brent Parks. She was also blessed with two great-granddaughters, Milay and Macy McCombs. Lastly, her fifth generation of great-grandchildren include Christopher, Xander, Caleb, Zayden and Haisley.
Marretta felt blessed to have survived colon cancer for 45 years, the passing of her husband, and the untimely death of her son. Remarkably, later in life she had a special friendship with her dear friend, Ford Molen, prior to his passing. Her family will greatly miss her, but Marretta now rests with God after living a blessed life for over 96 years.
