Vivian Marie Parks

Vivian H. “Grum” Parks, age 90, born May 29, 1925 died September 16, 2015 at a local hospital. She was born in Chattanooga to the late Anna Belle Wright Holdam and Gordon Lee Holdam. She was a resident of Chattanooga her entire life and was a member of the Waters Class of First Baptist Church of Chattanooga. She was preceded in death just six months ago by her husband of 68 years, Clyde A “Red” Parks.

Survivors include son Larry S (Robin) Parks, and daughter Judy Parks (Darrel) Jones, grandchildren, Caroline Parks Jones, Atlanta, Drew (Chrissy) Jones, Lookout Mountain, GA, Robert (Lindsey) Parks, Chattanooga and Tommy Parks of Daytona Beach, sister, Bettye Holdam (Dan) St. Clair, nephews, Charles H. (Jean) Parks and Danny St. Clair, Chattanooga, nieces Alice Healy, Signal Mountain and Nancy (Steve) Dragoo, Franklin, TN, sister-in-law, Sue G. Parks, and a host of others who claimed her as their “Grum” due to her kind, generous and loving nature.

A graduate of Central High School in 1943, she claimed her proudest moments were having two children, later outdone with grandchildren, until the past few weeks when she could show her first great grandchild’s ultrasound to everyone she came in contact with. Thank you Drew and Chrissy! In addition to full time mother and grandmother she was active on the board of the Florence Crittenden Home and served the Memorial Hospital as a Pink Lady providing volunteer services. She delivered meals on wheels for many years and was active in the Siskin Children’s Institute auxiliary.

The family wants to acknowledge all of Alexian Live at Home’s team for their support in allowing her to remain in her home. A special thank you goes to DaQuida Stoudemire and Darrell Blevins for their care, compassion, and attention while caring for our Grum.

Arrangements are being handled by Chattanooga Funeral Home, South Moore Road Chapel, with visitation at the funeral home from 2 PM until 4 PM on Friday, September 18th and on Saturday, September 19th from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at First Baptist Church Golden Gateway. The funeral service will be at First Baptist Church in the Golden Gateway on Saturday September 19 at 2:30 PM with Dr. Thomas Quisenberry officiating. Interment to follow at Forest Hills Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Drew Jones, Robert Parks, and Tommy Parks, grandsons, Charles Parks, nephew, David Erwin and Darrell Blevins. Honorary pallbearers will be Danny St. Clair, nephew and members of First Baptist Church’s The Waters class.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions should be made to the Siskin Children’s Institute, 1101 Carter Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37402.