Beatrice Parks

Our dearly blessed mother, Beatrice (Bowens) Parks aka Bea, Miss Bea and Mama Bea by all those who loved her, was born on June 4, 1929 in Cincinnati, Ohio to James (JB) Bowens of Greenville, South Carolina and Elizabeth (Williams) Cutright of Eatonton, Georgia. She was the only child from this union.

Mom was born during a turbulent time in the U.S. — The Great Depression (October 24, 1929 to 1939), a time of economic decline (Wall Street crash). Our Mom experienced a lot of history in her 96 years: World War II, Pearl Harbor, flooding of the Ohio River in 1937, Voting Rights, 911, COVID Pandemic, and many, many more. She lived to see the first African American President Barack Obama and was also able to vote for an African American female, Kamala Harris who was the Vice President and later ran for President.

As a young child, Mom grew up in the downtown area. She was raised by her great-great-grandmother, Anna (Downs) Cutright, who she called Mama. They lived with Uncle John (William John Thomas Edward Cutright) who lived in Mt. Auburn. The house still stands today.

For fun, Mom would spend a nickel for a double-feature at the Regal Theater. Mom also liked roller skating, bowling and enjoyed music, briefly taking piano lessons. Her father was a piano and organ player who had his own band. Mom had a talent for dancing and acting and later studied tap.

Mom attended Old Woodward High School in Cincinnati, Ohio, but eventually had to work to help the family. Mom met John Albert Parks, Sr. of Macon, Georgia who moved to Cincinnati, Ohio after the war. They married in 1948 and had six wonderful children. Mom put herself through nursing school at Central High Vocational School (now Cincinnati State Technical and Com-munity College). Anna Cutright (Mama) took care of us while Mom attended nursing school and she later worked nights at Christ Hospital and St. Margaret Hall. Our Mom was a super woman — she could do it all.

Mom joined St. Joseph Church because she wanted her children to have a great education. She later joined Lee Chapel Church where she took the family. In the 80’s, she was baptized in Jesus Name and received the Holy Ghost under the leadership of Bishop Elzie W. Young at Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church (now under the pastorate of Bishop James Chapman), where her daughter, Linda Weaver is still a longtime, faithful member.

In addition to other hobbies, our Mom dabbled in acting. She was cast in the film Harlem Nights (1989) and cast in the play, Barnum performed by the Cincinnati Players (around 1981). This was during the first national tour of Barnum, the story of P.T. Barnum of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Traveling Circus. She played a 100 year old woman. She was also in the chorus of Steppin’ Out where she tap danced.

Mom moved to Aurora, Colorado in 1993 and lived there for 30 years. She joined Heritage Christian Center pastored by Bishop Dennis Leonard. There she performed in the Easter and Christmas plays and met lifelong friends: Jacklyn, Malee, Kathy M. and Kathy S. They traveled together to Spain, on cruises, mountain trips to Estes Park and several Woman Thou Art Loosed Conferences by Bishop T.D. Jakes. In Colorado, she worked as a Private Duty Nurse and her cases included adult and pediatric care. One of her patients was the wife of the President of the Denver

Center for the Performing Arts. Subsequently, she was cast in two plays: Three Sisters and A Streetcar Named Desire. She also performed in local theaters in Denver — Theater on Broadway, Before It Hits Home and Eulipious Inc., Flying West and at the Shadow Theater Company, as well as performing privately for fundraisers. The latter two theaters were part of the Denver Black Arts Legacy (now the Source Theater Company). Now you see where Shana gets her acting from and she also got a chance to see her perform recently in the play, You’ve Got to Know Him for Yourself at Greater Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church.

In 2009, Mom flew to Cincinnati to spend her 80th birthday with a party given by her children and grandchildren, from far and near. What a “Surprise”. She spent time at the guest of honor table with Aunt Hattie (wife of Uncle Oscar Carr, her father’s brother) who did not run out of things to chat about. Aunt Hattie was always kind to her as a child growing up. What a “ball” she had.

In her early 80’s, Mom attended the Utah School of Massage Therapy where she received a certificate for attendance, grades and evaluations. She was the oldest student in her class, but that didn’t stop her from completing what she desired to do. She retired from nursing, massage therapy and acting a few years later. Our Mom was quiet, kind, sweet, happy, sincere, wise, caring, smart and honest. Mom knew how to work a mobile phone and a computer. She was amazing. She never gave up on any of her dreams. She was our Mother!

Mom met the true love of her life, Mr. Floyd Pride at the Spring Fashion Show at church in 2011, in Denver, Colorado where she was serving and took a break. Her daughter, Karen met his acquaintance in the foyer and invited him to sit with them. As Christian friends, Mom later began volunteering with him in the Food Ministry. One day after church, he walked her to her car to say goodbye and kissed her. They were married in church in November 2011. Mom later wrote this about Mr. Floyd: “When my life is done and the angels ask me to recall the thrill of it all, I will tell them I remember you.” After Mr. Floyd passed on June 19, 2016, she wanted a special memorial for him. On July 2, 2016, a memorial was held at Heritage Christian Church. There were roughly 100 attendees, including Bishop Dennis Leonard, First Lady Michelle Leonard and Pastor Calvin Nelson (who married them).

In 2019, before the COVID Pandemic, at age 90 and still capable and desiring to do something, Mom was asked if she was interested in reading to preschool children at the daycare center on the former Lowry Air Force Base. She lived close by so it was another great opportunity for her. Of course, she said “yes” and one of her two children, Karen or David, would drive her once a week to go read to the children. She absolutely loved it and so did the children, supervisors and staff. The children made her a poster on Valentine’s Day filled with cut-out hearts. The center shut down in 2020 due to COVID, but as Mom would always say, “the beat goes on.”

Our Mom was God-fearing. She loved the Lord and enjoyed watching service on Sundays when she was unable to attend. She had a lifetime of memories that she left us. She was the first one who taught us about the Lord. She loved trees and would always admire the beauty of the Lord. She picked out her daughter, Linda’s new roof color (GREEN). She said it was one of God’s favorite colors.

Beatrice Parks passed away unexpectantly and peacefully in her sleep at the home of her eldest daughter and caregiver, Linda where she resided. Her youngest daughter, Karen was with her. Her granddaughter, Shana and great-great-granddaughter, Genesis were with her the night before eating, laughing, hugging, dancing side to side, watching TV and ushering her to bed for her final night of sleep on this side of heaven. We are going to miss our Mom. We loved her, but God loved her the best.

Mom was preceded in death by our dad, John A. Parks; our stepdad, Floyd Pride; her mother, Elizabeth Bowens; her father, James Bowens; granddaughter, Kimberlee Parks; and great-great-granddaughter, Kyleigh Hughes.

She is survived by: her six children, John A. Parks, Jr. “June”, Linda A. Weaver “Cookie”, Karen E. Parks-McClinon, Brian D. Parks “David” (Kathy), Rodney E. Parks “Buddy” (Sherry) and Kenneth N. Parks “Kenny” (Tracy); two brothers, Quincy Buchannon (De’Vona) and James Bowens “Junebug” (Mamie); 19 grandchildren, Helena Banks (oldest granddaughter), John Wallace “JC”, Mirissa Rice (Kevin), Ronald L. Hughes (Munchion) (oldest grandson), Ellis M. Hughes (Laverne), Shana K.R. Taylor (Michael), Telly Hughes, Aisha A. Hughes, Arnell A. Hughes, Porter Hughes III, Marland McClinon (Crystal), Mira McClinon (Brendan), Kecia Cannon-Tyehimba (Bomani), Loryn Preuitt-Parks, Natalie Parks-Doyle (Jake), Ashley N. Parks, Rodney J. Parks, Austyn Parks and Aurelia A. Parks; 38 great-grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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