Georgia Irene Beery Parkes

Georgia Irene Beery Parkes, born September 19, 1926, passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her loving family on February 28, 2025. She was 98 years old.

Georgia was born in Palomar Mountain, California and spent the early part of her childhood living on the Walker River Paiute Reservation in Schurz, Nevada. At the age of ten, her family moved to Philadelphia, Mississippi, where she would plant her roots deeply. She met the love of her life, Cleveland Parkes, while she was a senior at Philadelphia High School. He was drafted and deployed to serve in the Pacific theatre of World War II for the U.S. Armed Forces shortly after they met. They wrote letters every  day and only had two official dates before she received a letter asking her hand in marriage while in nursing school in Memphis Tennessee. They were married on February 3, 1946, and together raised five children at their home on Byrd Avenue. They spent 69 wonderful years together before Cleveland's passing in 2015.

Georgia's priorities in life were simple and grounded in her deep faith and appreciation for God's creation. She served her husband and children, 14 children, and 34 (almost) 35 great-grandchildren with steadfast love and attention. Renowned for her green thumb, Georgia cultivated gardens that burst with color and flavor throughout her life. She took pleasure in sharing her holistic approach to health and wellness with others and led by example, frequently offering her grandchildren nutritious treats such as carrot juice and occasional servings of barley green. She was a servant of others, working for Dr. James Leigh's clinic for more than 28 years. Georgia inherited Cleveland's love of baseball, and she could be found keeping a detailed scorebook during any given Atlanta Braves game.

Most of all, she was a good and faithful servant of the Lord. Georgia and Cleveland hosted weekly Bible studies in their home for many years and developed deeply meaningful relationships with those they worshipped with. Her favorite songs were hymns, and her favorite memories were with her family and extended family during weekends of fellowship at Sugar Creek.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Lois Wyatt and Olin Roscoe Beery; brothers Joe and John Beery; sisters Margaret Beery Brasher and Doris Beery Perry; her husband, James Cleveland Parkes Sr.; and her son-in-law, Doug Allison.

She is survived by her five children, James C. Parkes Jr. (Leslie) of Westcliffe, Colorado; Doris Diane Parkes Allison of Nashville, Tennessee; George Alan Parkes (Cheryl) of Philadelphia, Mississippi; Joy Elaine Parkes Willis (Perry) and Margaret Deree Parkes Webb (Jody), both of Starkville, Mississippi; Her legacy continues through 14 grandchildren, almost 35 great- grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and cherished friends.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to those who cared for Georgia in her final months. Special thanks to Jaqueline Fair Vaughn, Katherine Fair Lowery, Louise Fair Poe, and Legacy Hospice for their compassionate service and loving care.

A celebration of life will be held at a later time. Memorials can be made to your chosen charities. The Parkes family supports the following Christian ministries:

French Camp Academy, an interdenominational Christian boarding home and academy in
French Camp, MS.
One Fine Place, French Camp, MS 39745
www.frenchcamp.org

The Voice of the Martyrs, which aids Christians in restricted and hostile countries.
1815 SE Bison Road, Bartlesville, OK 74006
www.persecution.com

Word of Life Fellowship, an international ministry that Georgia's great-grandchildren, Jane and Ben Kholer, are currently serving in Jeju Island, South Korea.
PO Box 600, Schroon Lake, NY 12870
www.missions.wol.org