Sue W. Parks

Sue Parks passed away Sunday evening December 29th while living at the Cottages of Clear Lake, where she was a short time resident. Sue was predeceased by her second husband, Ken parks, her first husband and the father of her children, Tommy Thomasson, her mother Willa Liggett who everyone affectionately called Bill, her step father Marty Liggett, her father Bruce Kirk, and her only sibling, Jane Cooper. She was also predeceased by aunts, uncles, and cousins that she was very close to while growing up. Her Uncle Ralph Wood was there for help and support when her father left her mother, sister, and herself to fend for themselves when she was a child. Ralph was so dear to her that she named her youngest son after him. Sue is survived by her three children Rick and wife Pam, Elaine and husband Bob, and Ralph and wife Cyndi. She is also survived by her many grandchildren that she loved very much, Marsha and husband David, Mark and his fiancé Crystal, Troy and wife Tiffany, Amanda, Gabriel and wife Luwannah, Alicia, Emily, and Kyle. She was also very proud of her great grandchildren Kaylee, Kinsey, Koltin, Celeste, Landon, and Tori Faith. She is also survived by her niece Susan Wood whom she held a special place in her heart for.

Sue graduated from Reagon HS in Houston in 1952 where she was an honor student and a member of the Redcoats drum and bugle core where she played the drums. She married Tommy right out of high school and a year later started their family. She worked for many years for the Schlumberger Company, and then went to work for the Upjohn Chemical Company and finished her career with the Dow Chemical Company in 1992 where she was over the Materials Management Department.

Sue was a strong willed person who wasn’t afraid to intervene or give her opinion if she thought it was necessary as her family can attest. She always meant well and was very caring of all her family members. While still employed, she cared for her step dad, Marty in his final years, as well as caring for her cousin Abbey Lou in her last months. She always wanted to help. She loved her children and grandchildren and supported them in what they did. She made sure her daughter Elaine had the opportunity to do all the things she thought a girl should do, enrolling her in dance classes as a child. She never missed a football game when her daughter was on the dance drill team in HS and was there for both her sons in whatever they were participating in. She supported Rick in all his sporting activities and Ralph in his pursuance of music. While the kids were growing up in their home in Pasadena, she allowed or tolerated Rick having his buddies over for poker parties in the upstairs bedroom and a few years later, Ralph jamming with his band. Not sure how she put up with all that. She enjoyed the family’s summer vacations to Garner State Park when her children were younger. She tried to make sure her children always had what they needed.

She provided shelter for her children and grandchildren when they were older if it was needed. If you went to Sue’s home, you knew that her hospitality was unmatched. She fed you till you couldn’t eat another bite, and waited on you continuously. She was always very meticulous about having a spotlessly clean home as everyone that knew her can attest. Sue also enjoyed working in her flower beds at her home during her retirement years. It gave her much joy.

She was a lifelong Presbyterian as she attended church regularly. When she lived in her last home in Pasadena, she did volunteer work wherever she was needed for her church. As her health worsened, she had to sell her home and move to an Independent retirement community called the Terrace of Clear Lake. She made many friends there and enjoyed attending the worship services on Sunday when her health allowed.