Obituary: Anne Tyrus Parks, 92, at home in heaven

Anne Parks

CAIRO, Ga. — Anne Parks, 92, one of Georgia Baptists' most gracious and godly women, has gone to glory. Her son, Keith Parks, recently retired pastor of First Baptist Church in Americus, declared, “Our mother had a sweet passing into eternity. My brother was with her throughout the night and said that he heard her praying just about all night long. She didn’t sleep, but was constantly speaking, mostly talking to the Lord.”

According to Keith, his mother was an exemplary pastor’s wife and greatly complemented the ministry of her husband, Reverend William Lester Parks, during their more than 46 years of marriage. They served two churches in Columbus prior to moving to Cairo, Anne’s hometown, where they served at Memorial Baptist Church (now New Beginnings Baptist Church) and Gordon Heights Baptist Church.

Because of her love for the Lord and His Word, Anne taught Sunday School for decades. Keith stated, “When I called her and asked what she was doing, her typical reply was, ‘I am studying my Sunday School lesson.’ She continued to teach her class up until she was almost ninety.”

Keith portrayed his mother as a valiant Christian, a faithful servant of Jesus, and a bold witness. He reported, “When she drove up to the window of a fast-food restaurant, she would ask the person at the window, ‘Are you my sister?’ After receiving a rather puzzled look, Anne would then say, “You are my sister if you believe in Jesus.”

Billy Graham said, “The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless. The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service.” Those words seem to be descriptive of the life of Anne Parks.

She traces her spiritual roots to the Long Branch Baptist Church in Cairo. She made her profession of faith at that church in 1946 in a protracted meeting. That is where she started teaching the Bible, and after many years of serving in multiple roles with her husband, she returned to her home church to begin teaching Sunday school again. She also played the organ for the church until her health began to fail earlier this month.

Mrs. Parks had a special love in her heart for missions and started an English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) class years ago as an outreach ministry in the Grady County Baptist Association. Much of the training she and others received came through the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, which the Cooperative Program and Mission Georgia made possible. Keith recalled, “Our mother loved that work, and, as I recall, l had two Hispanic class members who were called into the ministry through her efforts in that class.”

Anne Parks survivors include: sons, Alan Parks (Lisa) of Cairo, GA, Ron Parks (Cindy) of Athens, GA, Keith Parks (Judy) of Americus, GA; grandchildren, Chad Parks (Brittney), Courtney Ballard (Gary), Andrew (Katie), Ben Parks, Jordan Parks, Lauren Parks, Jonathan Parks, David Parks (Ansleigh), Jason Parks (Maggie); great-grandchildren, Ari Parks, Anna Parks, Asa Parks, Maryanna Parks, Connor Parks, Harvey Parks, Liam Parks, Bennett Parks, Noah Parks, Anna Lee Parks, Ally Ballard, MaKenna Ballard; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Parks; and a host of nieces, nephews and extended family. The grandsons will serve as pallbearers for the memorial service.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Guin and Luva Mae Tyus; husband, W. Lester Parks; and brothers, Franklin Tyus (and wife, Margaret), Lewis Tyus (and wife, Brunell.)

Funeral services for Anne Tyus Parks will be at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, June 1, 2025, at Long Branch Baptist Church, Cairo, GA. Rev. Robbie Chaplin, Rev. Tim VanLandingham and Rev. Matt Peek will officiate. Services will conclude at the church. Private interment will be in Greenwood Cemetery, Cairo, GA. Mrs. Parks passed away at Archbold Memorial Hospital in Thomasville, GA, on Monday, May 26, 2025.