Virginia Smith Parks

Virginia Smith Parks (Ginny) of Newnan died at the age of 102 on Oct. 3, 2023. She was born on Dec. 29, 1920, at Fort Eustis, VA. She was the daughter of the late Colonel Boyd Lee Smith and Mrs. Jean Patton Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Joseph William Parks Jr. and her brother, Robert Patton Smith. While growing up, Ginny's father, Col. Smith, was a dental surgeon in the US Army. She lived on military bases throughout the United States, as well as in Puerto Rico and the Philippines. She loved sharing memories of those times. She attended Stephens College in Columbia, MO, before transferring to the University of Utah, where she received her BA degree. She was a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority. Ginny met her husband, Dr. Joseph William Parks, Jr. of Newnan, while working at the Presidio in San Fransisco during the end of WW II. They married in 1949 in Honolulu, Hawaii, where her father was based at Tripler Army Medical Center. After honeymooning in San Francisco, Ginny and Joe made their home in Newnan, where they raised their children and served their community for many years. Ginny was a Newnan resident for over 74 years. A faithful First United Methodist Church member, she served as treasurer of the Polly Crowley Sunday School Class. Ginny was also active in the Newnan community, volunteering in the Jr. Service League, the Newnan Hospital Auxiliary, the Red Cross, the Boy Scouts, and the Girl Scouts. Always interested in her children's endeavors, she was a strong advocate for her children's activities in school, church, sports, and scouting. Ginny's survivors include her sons, Dr. Joseph William (Bernie) Parks III of Newnan and Dr. Boyd Lee (Diane) Parks of Davidson, NC; daughters, Jean Parks (Ansel) Bunch of Columbia, SC, and Gay Parks (Jim) Dilz of Decatur, GA. Grandchildren include Dr. Joseph William (Liz) Parks IV of Jacksonville, FL; Mary Patton (Jennings) Anderson of Greenwood, SC; Ansel (McKenzie) Bunch of Columbia, SC; Parks (Alisa) Bunch of Columbia, SC; Richard (Mallory) Bunch of Columbia, SC; Carolyn (Tim) Noble of Denver, CO; and Jimmy (Lily) Dilz of Atlanta, GA. Step-grandchildren include Shanna Dickerson, Santa Rosa Beach, FL and Chris Dickerson, Charlotte, NC. Eight great-grandchildren also survive Ginny. The Parks family would like to acknowledge our appreciation for long-time family friends Ruth and Juanita Rosser. Condolences may be expressed online at www.mckoon.com Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Thursday, October 5, 2023, at McKoon Funeral Home, 38 Jackson Street in Newnan. A private graveside burial will be held the following day at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the First United Methodist Church, 33 Greenville Street, Newnan, GA, 30263. McKoon Funeral Home & Crematory (770) 253-4580

Virginia Smith Parks

December 29, 1920 - October 3, 2023