Lessie Bee Parks

Lessie B. Parks was born September 9, 1932, to Cornelius and Gertrude Harris in Texarkana, Arkansas. She was the middle child of three and graduated from Bakersfield High School and Henrietta Beauty College in Los Angeles, California.

In 1953, Lessie reunited with the love of her life, Paul T. Parks, and married on August 1, 1954. They became a happy family of six: son, Gilbert Parks, and daughters, Pamela R. Whitley, Cheryl D. Parks and L’Tayna Lynn Francies. She devoted her life to her husband and children, served on the P.T.A Board, was a Camp Fire Girls leader, and worked as a beautician for 59 years. Lessie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, and was baptized, at a very early age. For many years, she attended CAIN Memorial AME Church and served as a church Missionary. She loved bowling, crocheting, traveling, and cooking.

Her loving husband, Paul T. Parks, transitioned two days after her passing. She was preceded in death by her son, Gilbert Parks, Simi Valley, California; father and mother, Cornelius and Gertrude Harris, Bakersfield, California; brother, Arthur L. Harris, Seaside, California; sister, Mollie M. Clay, Oakland, California, and nephews: Gerald Clay and Danny Clay, Oakland, California.

Lessie Parks will be missed and those left to cherish her memory are her daughters: Pamela R. Whitley and husband Ted Whitley, grandson Parris Whitley (Stacey) and great grandchildren Hannah and Marcus;

Cheryl D. Parks; L’Tayna Lynn Francies and husband Rev. Leon Francies, Jr., grandson Leon Francies, III, great grandchild January, grandson Terron Francies, great grandsons Terron, Jr., and Amir; grandson Travanti Francies (Teresa), great grandchildren, Tyris, Tinsley, Taisun, Tawnie, and Teagan; and grandson Trenttin Francies, great grandchild Sydney; niece Sheila Harris, Texas; nephews: Ronald Clay and Robert Clay of Oakland, California; and a host of other relatives and friends and friends.