Henrietta Anna "Babe" (Markway) Parks

Henrietta “Babe” Parks (Markway) reunited with many family members and friends in heaven after passing away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on February 3, 2024. Babe was born October 31, 1924 to Alvina (Kreyling) and Henry Markway and lived her 99.25 years on this earth to the fullest.

She grew up in St. Louis, Missouri with her parents and brother, Earl. She graduated from Central High School in January of 1942. She met her husband, James W. Parks (Jim), at a USO roller skating event when she was only 17 shortly after he had enlisted in the Army Air Corps. They married three years later on March 15, 1945 and they moved to Ohio shortly after where Jim had gotten a job at BF Goodrich. They had six children together. Babe and Jim helped lead Boy Scout troops and coach baseball teams, even building a baseball field at their home. They also ran a bait shop in Cuyahoga Falls for a number of years. Jim died at only 52 years old leaving Babe with three adult children and three teenagers. She worked at Brimfield Insurance for 20 years until retiring at the age of 70.

Babe was a strong woman who loved everyone, believed in the importance of family and loved God. Babe loved to play cards and games, travel, go camping and fishing, hunting for deals at garage sales, shopping, cooking, baking cookies, bowling, and her church, First Congregational UCC in Rootstown. She was a member of many clubs and groups including Brimfield Chamber, Rootstown Garden Club, Friendly Neighbors, Rootstown Fifty Plus, Tripoly Club, Edinburg Home Makers, Portage County Seniors, Women’s Fellowship and Women Alone in addition to various card clubs and Twin Star Senior bowling teams. She collected many friends throughout her life whom she always made feel like family.

She lived with her daughter, Ellen Losh, and son-in-law, Don Losh for 41 years surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren until her passing. She loved spoiling them all and taught everyone how to play cards.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Parks Sr., and son, Jeffrey E. Parks. She will be greatly missed by her children, James (Laura) Parks Jr., Wayne Parks, Ellen (Donald H.) Losh, Jean (Ronald) Bridgman, and Philip (Jennifer) Parks, daughter-in-law, Karen Parks, grandchildren, Anita Parks, James W. Parks III, Jeffrey A. Parks, Katherine Parks, Luke Parks, Donald L. Losh, Anna Englehart, Melinda Scalfaro, Alicia Cobb, and Joshua Parks, along with 17 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren.

Calling hours will be held Saturday, February 10th from 10 - 11 am at Rootstown First Congregational UCC, 4022 St. Rt. 44. Service will be held at 11 am followed by graveside at Homeland Cemetery, and a meal at back at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Congregational UCC. P.O. Box 127, Rootstown, Ohio 44272.  Note in Memory of Babe Parks.  Condolences and memories of Babe may be shared with her family at www.sscfuneralhomes.com