Mary Nell Sullivan Parks

Mary Nell Sullivan Parks died peacefully at Willis Knighton Hospital on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at age 94.  She was born on July 9, 1928, in Haynesville, Louisiana to T.W. Sullivan and Bessie Jennings Sullivan.

Mary grew up in Zwolle, Louisiana where she was a proud member of the Zwolle High Basketball team and made many lifelong friends. Mary attended Northeastern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana before moving to Shreveport to work for Arkla Gas where she met her husband, Al Parks, by “accidentally” splashing water on his new suit at the office drinking fountain. They had three children, Micheal Thomas Parks, who along with his wife, Leslee Goodman, resides in Twisp, Washington; William Jeffrey Parks, who died in Shreveport on August 24, 1986; and Christopher Matthew Parks, who is married to Dona Melissa Parks and lives in Boulder, Colorado. Mary is survived by three wonderful grandchildren, Micheal Ryan Parks of Shreveport, David Alexander Parks of Boulder, and Victoria Caitlen Parks, also of Boulder.

Mary loved her children and grandchildren and did not mind one bit if you asked about them! She enjoyed following their lives and their many accomplishments. She was also extremely proud of her husband, Al, who left this earth on May 4, 2001. Al was a petroleum geologist and he and Mary spent countless evenings, holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries at the Shreveport Petroleum Club and the East Ridge Golf Club where they were members. She adored fishing, of any type! She loved to play golf and cherished keeping up with her friends. Mary was witty, tenacious, honest, and fiercely loyal. It could take hours to buy a bag of groceries at Albertson’s because she knew everyone there and was genuinely interested in their lives. In fact, Mary enriched the lives of everyone she knew. She will be terribly missed and fondly - very fondly – remembered. Love you mom!

A memorial service honoring Mary's life will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023 located at Rose-Neath Marshall Street Chapel, 1815 Marshall St., Shreveport, LA 71101. A visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m. until time of service. Officiating the service will be Brother Andrew Brewster.