Willie Mae Parks

Willie Mae Parks, beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, passed away on the morning of February 4th, 2026, in the warm company of the family she devoted her life to.

She is survived by her siblings: Robert and his wife, Bonnie; Imogene Odell; James and his wife, Rise; Charles and his wife, Sue; Freddie; Danny; and Donald; and by her children: Donna Moore; Ron and Jori Parks; and Richelle Lundberg; her grandchildren: John and Samantha Moore; Ryan and Maggie Lundberg; Aubrey and David Rodriguez; Eric Lundberg; Tyler and Sarah Lundberg; Cory Moore; and Jett Parks; and fifteen great-grandchildren, who adored her and carry her love forward.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Willie Monroe and Emma McCoy, her brother Melvin McCoy, her in laws Beatrice Parks and Richard Parks, son-in-law Russell Carl Moore, and her grandchildren Christel Moore and Jack Parks.

Willie Mae was born in Wayne, Oklahoma and spent her youth moving through western Oklahoma and Texas, following the rhythm of farm work and crop harvesting with her siblings. Those early years shaped her resilience, work ethic, and her unwavering loyalty to family. Introduced by her older brother, she married the love of her life, Richard Paul Parks, on January 23, 1958. From that day forward, they were inseparable. Their marriage was a partnership built on devotion, laughter, shared passions, and a lifetime of showing up for one another. She took tender care of Paul, making sure he was always fed, dressed, and looked after. She brought that same devotion to motherhood - steady, protective, present, and endlessly loving - raising her children with the same strength, warmth, and loyalty that defined every part of her life.

Willie Mae built a distinguished career at Texas Instruments, specializing in semiconductor manufacturing using FIB technology where her precision, skill, and dedication earned her multiple recognitions and awards. Outside of work, she bowled with her husband, her brother Robert, and her sister in law Bonnie McCoy, claiming multiple league championships - a testament to both her talent and her love of doing things together as a family.

She had an uncanny eye for detail and could spot the slightest imperfection. She loved to shop and was always put together - her style, hair, jewelry, and shoes chosen with care and purpose. Because of her height, she often made her own pants, a small but telling example of her resourcefulness and the way she presented herself.

Her passions filled her days with joy: sewing, fishing, camping, reading, crossword puzzles, sharing memories with friends and family, cheering for Texas Tech sports, and the occasional trip to the casino. She was incredibly proud of her Choctaw heritage and always encouraged her family to be the same.

Caring came naturally to her, and she often put herself last to make sure everyone else was cared for. She loved showing her support at her grandchildren's events and didn't miss an opportunity to set a ref straight. She kept everyone's favorite candies and cooked their favorite meals and desserts – including her famous cherry cheesecake pie at every Christmas gathering. She delighted in taking her grandchildren to the store, beaming with pride when strangers commented on how well behaved they were. She loved her family deeply and grieved just as deeply for her two grandchildren lost too soon.

Willie Mae lived by simple, powerful values: put family first and looked good doing it. Her legacy is one of devotion, strength, warmth, and unwavering love - a life lived fully.

A memorial service in Lubbock, TX and Poteau, OK are planned for the near feature. For details reach out to Donna or Aubrey.