Mr. John L. Parks, 86, of 4641 Northview Street, was born in Winston-Salem, NC to Benjamin and Neely Parks. A prayer warrior, a man of God who firmly believed in the Power of Prayer, was called home to be with the Lord on April 15, 2009.

He attended the Forsyth County public schools and was an employee of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company.

Mr. Parks was a lifelong member of Lula Street Church of God where he served on the Trustee and Deacon Board, and served as a Sunday school teacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 66 years, Mattie L. Parks, and one son, John L. Parks, Jr.

Left to cherish loving memories are four sons, Edward (Sandra) Parks, Sr. and Kenneth (Rita) Parks both of Winston-Salem, NC, Richard (Shirley) Parks and Douglas Parks both of New York; one daughter, Patricia (Gerald) Dancy of Woodbridge, VA; a host of grand and great-grandchildren; four sisters, Sadie Lennon (Arnold) of Baltimore, MD, the Rev. Betty Parks Lowe (Carl), Virginia Black, and Elizabeth Rumph all of Winston-Salem, NC; a brother, Rosevelt Parks (Eva) of Rochester, NY; one daughter-in-law, Norma Jean Parks of Baltimore, MD; one sister-in-law, Ruth Washington, of Winston-Salem, NC; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Lula Street Church of God, 2227 Lula Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27105, with the Rev. Betty Parks Lowe, officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. Family visitation will be held from 10:30 am until 11 am Saturday at the church.