Earnest Grant Parks

Earnest Grant Parks, age 91, of Maryville, passed away Saturday, March 26, 2016. After serving as a U.S. Marine in WW-II, he worked at the Oak Ridge Nuclear Facilities and as a Tennessee State Highway Patrol Officer. His next job became his career as a Knoxville Postal Carrier. He was one of the founders of Eagleton Little League and coached there. He was an Alcoa Volunteer Fireman, Boy Scout Master for Troop 286, and Order of Arrow advisor. In the early 1970’s, he served as Youth Director for the First Baptist Church of Alcoa. He is also remembered as a bus driver and as director of the cassette ministry of the church. He and his wife, Joyce, were house parents to young lady workers in Gatlinburg, TN. They established an annual Gatlinburg conference for youth with Doug Sager. At Calvary Baptist of Alcoa and later at Forest Hill Baptist, he had a video ministry that went out weekly to shut-ins and others upon request. After retirement, he served, along with his friend Robbie Robbins, as an aircraft mechanic for Remote Area Medical. He also worked with his son Jim Parks as a videographer in his court reporting business and videoed school events and weddings. Grant was preceded in death by parents, Wilmoth and Cleo Parks; wife, Joyce Littlefield Parks, and sister, Mary Dempsey. Survivors include brother, Melvin Parks; sister, Jean Bowman; son, Jim Parks and spouse Willie; son, Ron Parks and spouse Laura; son, Wayne Parks and spouse Toni; son, Steve Parks and spouse Kathy; daughter, Ann Hill and spouse John; grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Special thanks to caregivers, Laura Hill, Ann Hill, and Shirley Russell and to Ben Atchley Veterans’ Home. Receiving friends will be at Smith's Funeral and Cremation Service on Thursday, March 31 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with the funeral at 7:00 p.m. with Doug Sager and Gary Thomas officiating. Family and friends will gather for a military burial on Friday, April 1 at 11:00 a.m. at Grandview Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Remote Area Medical, 220 Stock Creek Blvd, Rockford, TN 37853 or online at ramusa.org/donate. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Earnest Grant Parks please visit our Sympathy Store.