Maw Maw was born on December 20, 1925, in Carterville, Illinois, to Clyde and Katherine Martin. She was the oldest of three children, having a brother and sister. Rosemary married Philip Gail Parks on June 9, 1949, in Carbondale, Illinois. Together, they became the only married couple to graduate from Southern Illinois University that year.
Rosie and Phil later moved to Amarillo when Phil was stationed at the Amarillo Air Force Base. Rosemary enjoyed a long career as a secretary for over fifty years and also owned and operated a Merle Norman Cosmetics store in Hereford for more than thirty-three years. They were both lifelong members of Grand Avenue Baptist Church, where Rosemary faithfully played the piano and organ every Sunday. She also loved practicing Tai Chi.
Rosie and Phil had four adopted daughters: Cyndi Parks Walker, Gloria Parks Hendrix, Trudi Gail Parks Hendrix, and Candace Parks Gannon.
Rosemary is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Philip Gail Parks; her parents; her siblings; two daughters, Trudi Gail Parks Hendrix and Candace Parks Gannon; and her son-in-law, Jerry Lee Walker.
She is survived by her daughters, Cyndi Parks Walker, Gloria Parks Hendrix and her husband Herman, and son-in-law Chuck Gannon; her grandchildren, Shiloh Smith, Heather Wilburn and husband Kelley, Ty Hendrix and wife Holly, Jennifer Hoehn and husband Trevor, Philip Todd Hendrix and wife Jennifer, Tosha Herndon and husband Jeremy, Sonja Parks, and Tori Smith and husband Randy. She is also survived by twenty great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Rebecca Walters, who Rosemary enjoyed seeing daily. Casee May and the staff of Abide Private Senior Care, as well as the staff of BSA Hospice also have the family’s gratitude.
Until we meet again, Maw Maw, keep doing Tai Chi in Heaven. We love you!
