Marian Dunlap Parks

FUNERAL HOME

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel

503 N Lake Dr

Lexington, South Carolina

Marian Parks Obituary

Marian Dunlap Parks WEST COLUMBIA, SC - Marian Dunlap Parks passed away on Tuesday, November 24, 2015. She now is with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born in Morganza, LA, and was the daughter of the late Reverend and Mrs. Edward Skinner. Surviving are daughters, Janis Summers, Malinda Fillingim; son, Danny Bishop (Sandra); granddaughters, Carmen Branum (Jeff), Hope Fillingim and Hannah Fillingim; grandson, Rodney Bishop; great-granddaughter, Madison Branum; sisters, Bobbye Mackey (Curt), Edwena Littlejohn (Joe) and Joyce Thompson (Melvin) and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Carl Dunlap and Harvey Parks; special son, Scott Bishop; two sisters, Nita Lambert and Gail Skinner. Mrs. Parks graduated from Coastal Carolina College in Jacksonville, NC in the field of nursing, having worked in several facilities with children with lifelong disabilities including Horizons in Rural Hall, NC and Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC. She also worked in Stokes Reynolds Hospital in Danbury, NC. She taught adult Sunday School Class in Beaufort, South Carolina's Baptist Church in Midway Park, North Carolina's Baptist Church and in Walnut Cove, North Carolina's First Baptist Church. She was a member of Laurel Baptist Church in West Columbia and The Joyous Sunday school class. Mrs. Parks served terms as President of the Parent and Guardian Association at Coastal Center in Summerville, SC. She held many other Chairperson positions while living in Summerville including the first Chairperson of Dorchester County Human Rights Committee and was a past member of Coastal Center's Human Rights Committee. She spearheaded the building of the Coastal Center Chapel and also the Memorial Gardens on the center's grounds with God's help and the help of former Senator Arthur Ravenel. Mrs. Parks was instrumental in getting a bill passed to prohibit the closing of South Carolina's Regional Center's operated by South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. Mrs. Parks served on the volunteer service Board at the Coastal Center and was Vice-Chairperson on the Dorchester County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs having been appointed to the board by both Governor Beasley and Governor Hodges. She was also the founder of the Erbert Cicenia Trust Fund. Mrs. Parks served many years as membership Chair and State Coordinator for the National Organization, VOR. She received the Summerville Mayor's 2002 Eagle Award for providing service to people with lifelong disabilities. She co-founded the South Carolina parents and advocates for the Developmentally Disabled (SCPADO), serving as President for many years. After moving to West Columbia in 2002, she served on Babcock Center's Human Rights Committee. Mrs. Parks devoted her life in helping others. She enjoyed art and had several paintings on exhibits in art shows in North Carolina. She was also an avid reader and writer of poems. Several of her poems were published in the National Library of Poetry. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 27, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel with interment to follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Marian Parks

11 Entries

Peggy Stark

June 24, 2016

I am so sorry to read that Marian passed. I am glad that her and my Uncle Harv had a few years together. I only meet her a couple of times, and enjoyed getting to know her.

Perry King

November 27, 2015

Marion was a big part of my life when I lived in Walnut Cove NC in the 1970s as we were both very active in First Baptist Church of Walnut Cove and she was one of my mom's best friends. I remember her joyous laughter and how she loved to tell funny stories. She was a very faithful caregiver to her handicap son Scott and once rode with my mom and I to visit my handicap brother Dale in the institution where he lived. I appreciated her activism on behalf of handicapped children. She once traveled to Washington DC to meet with Sen. Strom Thurman to advocate for improving state facilities for the handicapped and asked me out for lunch afterwards. I appreciated her faithful friendship with my mother which spanned many years and distances and will always remember her joyous laughter. Perry King, Washington DC

Ruth King

November 27, 2015

I remember when Marian moved to Walnut Cove North Carolina in the 1970s. We both had handicapped children and this helped to bond our friendship. She was a very dear friend and a wonderful person. After she moved to South Carolina we kept in touch and called each other regularly. Last year we enjoyed a wonderful week at Myrtle Beach together and had lots of fun reminiscing. She was very gracious in inviting myself, my niece and her two children to her home and we enjoyed spending time with her. I've lost a dear friend and she will be greatly missed. I offer my heartfelt condolences to her family. Ruth King, Walnut Cove North Carolina

The Staff of Caughman-Harman Funeral Home

November 27, 2015

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

Gwendolynn Martin

November 27, 2015

I knew Mrs. Parks before she came to Laurel Baptist. I grew up at Grace Baptist and Harvey Parks and his first wife watched me grow up. After both were widowed Mrs. Parks said she remembered watching me during my college years. I was pleasantly surprised when they both came to Laurel. I'll never forget how I would walk into the sanctuary on Sunday morning with the choir and I would spot Mrs. Parks and wave or blow her a kiss. Just two weeks ago as we were doing our time of fellowship I hugged her and she said, "Did you see me wave at you?" and when I replied, "Yes, and did you see me blow you a kiss?" she said, "Yes, I caught it and put it right here (pointing to her heart) with the rest of them." That was the last time I saw her...I'm not sure how I will be able to look out from the choir knowing she will no longer be sitting there.

But praise God she is at home with our Lord. She will celebrate her 1st Christmas in Heaven and she is reigning with the King of Kings. How beautiful Heaven must be. Her faith has become sight and she is where our hearts long to be.

To the family: May God comfort you in the days ahead and give you peace. Hold tight to the memories and remember: She's gone but not forgotten...forever in our hearts. Take care and God bless! (Psalm 116:15)

November 26, 2015

What a precious friend Marian was to us. She will be missed so very much by many who knew her. Our prayers and thoughts will continue to be with the family.

November 26, 2015

my sweet sister

November 26, 2015

A wonderful lady a giving heart She will be missed by so many friends . She was a cousin I simply adored So much fun we had. Nettie

S. Washington

November 26, 2015

Sorry for your loss. May God of all comfort be with the family and friends at this time of sorrow.

Sandra Oxner

November 26, 2015

Our prayers are with her family through this time.

November 26, 2015

I am very sorry for your loss. Please keep leaning on God, because he is away there to comfort you PSALMS 29:11