Barbara A. Parks

The family of Barbara Anne Fleischman Parks (84) is sad to share the news that she passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2024 at Easton Memorial Hospital with her children by her side. 

She was born on July 22, 1939 and was the only child of the late Robert Emerson "Pete" Fleischman and Nettie Elizabeth Willey Fleischman. She graduated from Cambridge High School in 1957 and immediately began working at Peoples Bank (now Truist).

She married Robert Wilson Parks (Bob, the Barber) on January 17, 1959 and they had two children, son, Michael Alan Parks and daughter, Susan Carol Parks Stinson.

In 1978, she began working as secretary for Grace United Methodist Church, retiring in 2006. She was active in the church throughout her life: baptized in 1941, joined the church in 1953 and taught Sunday School for 35 years. She served on the Administrative Board and was a member of the United Methodist Women. She was recognized in 2023 for 70 years of active membership.

Barbara and Bob were members of Minerva Chapter #50, Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron in 1974, which later consolidated with Roelma Chapter #I3. They received their 50-year pin in 2017.

She was a Den Mother for Cub Pack #128 when her son was younger, and she and her husband who was Cub Scout Leader received the Scout Family of the Year Award for the Choptank District, Boy Scouts of America.

She enjoyed sewing and crafting and working with her flowers. She began a sunshine card ministry for shut ins with her Sunday School students when she was teaching and continued after she retired from teaching. She also served as an election judge for Dorchester County for many years. After retiring she enjoyed volunteering at Pleasant Day Adult Day Care and traveling. Some of her favorite trips were to the Holy Land, Hawaii, Alaska, several European countries, especially to Oberammergau, Germany, to see the Passion Play which is performed every 10 years by the village people in appreciation for years ago when God spared their country from the plague.

She also took many trips and cruises with the local AARP Dorchester Chapter, #1278, seeing almost all 50 states, and she enjoyed scrapbooking each trip when she returned home. In recent years, Barbara served as historian for this local AARP chapter.

She loved decorating her home for all the holidays, especially Christmas time when she displayed the hand carved olive wood nativity set brought back from the Holy Land, her extensive Nutcracker collection, and Dickens Village pieces.

Barbara was predeceased by Bob, her husband of 64 years.

Barbara is survived by her son Michael Parks and his wife, Shawn; daughter, Susan Stinson and her husband, Skip; 3 grandchildren: Morgan Elisa Parks Cox and her husband, Jody; Dr. Madison Anna Parks Kaseff and her husband Josh; John Walter "Jack" Stinson, Jr.; great-granddaughter, Emerson Elisa Cox; and godson, Wayne E. Gray. Jr. and many cousins.

Celebration of Life Services will be at the Thomas Funeral Home on Friday, July 12, 2024 at 12 pm with visitation beginning at 11. Interment will follow at Dorchester Memorial Park. 

Pallbearers are Michael Parks, Skip Stinson, Jack Stinson, Wayne Gray, Jody Cox, and Josh Kaseff.

The family would like to thank the care team nurses and staff of Easton Memorial Hospital and Denton Nursing and Rehab Center who provided their loved one with exceptional care and compassion in these past few weeks. 

She had a life well lived which she summed up in these words:

“We were a closely knit family with much love and togetherness, always available for our children's well being, education and character-forming in order to prepare them for life's experiences. We always enjoyed Mike's football and lacrosse games (even though they were nerve racking), Susan’s piano playing, and our grandchildren's concerts and tennis matches. We hope we leave you with a shining example of the love of a family and a joy for living.”

 In lieu of flowers memorial donations will be welcomed by Grace Methodist Church of Cambridge, P.O. Box 815, Cambridge, MD 21613 and AARP Dorchester Chapter #1278, P.O. Box 913, Cambridge, MD 21613.