Paul Terron Parks

Paul Terron Parks was born on October 2, 1931, to Annie Mae Hill and Drew Camp Sanders and was later adopted by George Parks in Texarkana, Texas. Annie Mae and George moved to Pumpkin Center and finally to Tehachapi, California. Paul attended the local schools, including Tehachapi High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, and track. After graduating high school (1949), he enlisted in the United States Navy, during the end of WWII and the beginning of the Korean War. After an in the line of duty injury, Paul was honorably discharged and went to Barber College in Los Angeles, California.

In 1953, Paul met the love of his life, Lessie Bee Parks, and they united in marriage 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. The daughters were known to some family members as the Supremes, although they were not great singers.

Paul purchased a Barber Shop on Brundage Lane and worked and served the community as the local barber for many years. In the late 60’s he decided to sell the shop and change careers by purchasing a Mobil gas station up the street and on the corner from the shop. After completing his entrepreneurship ventures, Paul applied and was hired as the Gas Superintendent for the Mobil/Exxon Oil Company, where he eventually retired. Paul was an avid, and to some, considered an awesome golfer, and during his prime he had a handicap of plus-one. He taught three of his grandsons to golf. He was a member of The African American Valley Green Masters Golf Club for 30 years. He was also a member of the Veterans’ Post 808,

and a long-time member of the African American Bowling League. These sporting activities provided Paul and

Lessie with places to travel throughout the United States.

Paul T. Parks, was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lessie Bee Parks (5/19/21); father George Parks, Texas; father Drew C. Sanders, Texas; mother Annie Mae Hill, Tehachapi, California, son; Gilbert Parks, Simi Valley, California; father-and-mother-in-law, Cornelius and Gertrude Harris, Bakersfield, California; brother-in-law, Arthur L. Harris, Seaside, California; sister-in-law, Mollie M. Clay, Oakland, California, and nephews: Gerald Clay and Danny Clay, Oakland, California.

Paul Parks will be missed and those left to cherish his memory are his 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.