On January 31, 1936, in Haskell, Oklahoma, Jessie Patterson and Estella Robinson Patterson welcomed their third child, a beautiful baby girl and named her Carrie Mae.

Carrie committed her life to Christ at a very young age at Eastside Baptist Church, where she devoted her life to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She graduated from high school in 1954 from Booker T. Washington in Haskell. At a young age, she learned to play the piano, being instructed by church member Percy Snoddy. As a teenager, she was the pianist for the popular gospel group the Twin Quartet, who were also members of Eastside. Together, they accompanied Charles Davis, the pastor of Eastside, to provide music when he ministered at other churches. She continued using her gift for the Lord for the rest of her life.

Carrie enrolled in Langston University to study music and further pursue her passion. While there, she was reacquainted with her childhood friend, James Herald Davis, Sr., whom she married. From their union, two children were born, a son, Jeryl Douglas, and a daughter, Kim Lynette. After the dissolution of their marriage, Carrie suspended her education and moved back to Haskell to care for their children. While working various jobs, Carrie reengaged in her church activities, taking on the ministry of choir director for their Youth Choir.

While attending a social event in Tulsa, Carrie met Joe Parks, who became the love of her life. They married and made their home in Tulsa. To this union were born, Vickie Estella, Gwendolyn Denise, Joe Jr, and Clarence
Isaac. Joe was a member of Greater Union Baptist Church in Tulsa where Carrie moved her membership to worship there with him. The family became very active in the church, and Carrie served as the assistant pianist
and later the pianist for the Missionary Choir.
During this time, Carrie worked as a nurse's aide at Hillcrest and St. John hospitals. She also took business classes and worked at Marian Anderson Jr. High School as an office aide.

While at Anderson, she became interested in bowling and joined their Teachers Bowling League. She became an excellent bowler and won many trophies. She would also be Camp Fire Girls leader for Gwen's troupe. Some of her other interests included cooking, sewing, shopping, while indulging in her fondness for shoes. She was also the consummate bargain shopper, never meeting a garage sale she didn't like! Soap operas got their fair share of her attention as well, with her favorite being General Hospital. As an avid gardener, she cultivated a beautiful rose garden that adorned their home for years.

After Joe's retirement, they moved back to Haskell where they experienced a slower pace of life. They also reunited with
Eastside Baptist Church where Joe would serve as a deacon and Carrie as the pianist and choir director for the Adult Choir.
During this time, they were honored to raise their grandson,Tywone Parks.

After a marriage that lasted 45 years, Joe went to be with the Lord. Carrie continued to serve as pianist at Eastside. However, her consuming passion was hosting and doting upon her growing family of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews during holidays and special occasions, or random visits. She loved supporting her children and grandchildren by attending their school activities. Carrie's home was always filled with love. Later, she became a breast and throat cancer survivor, all the while keeping her strong faith in God, knowing He would see her through her journey. Carrie Mae is preceded in death by her parents Jessie Patterson and Estella Patterson, husband Joe Parks, Sr., sister Caroline Patterson, brothers Isaac Patterson, Sylvester Patterson, and John Patterson, grandson Courtney Parks, great grandson Donovan Jones, and son-in-law Michael Jones. She leaves to cherish her memory: her children - son Jeryl Davis (Anne) Portland, Oregon, daughter Kim Atkinson (Shawn) McKinney, TX, daughter Vickie Jones, Dallas, TX, daughter Gwendolyn Stafford (Reginald) Broken Arrow, OK, son Joe Parks, Jr. (Lenora), Tulsa, OK, Clarence Parks, Grand Prairie, TX, sister Helen Pipkins, Tulsa, OK; sister-in-law Iris Patterson, Lawton, OK; 18 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

Mrs. Carrie Mae Parks, a resident of Haskell, after Four-score and Eight Years, "dozed into Glory" on Tuesday morning, January 21, 2025, with her loving family near her side.

The Sacred Farewell for Mother Parks will commence on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the Tenth Hour in the most holy sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Haskell.

You may visit Mrs. Carrie as she slumbers in sweet repose at The People's Chapel of Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., of Muskogee on Friday, January 31, 2025 between the hours of 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM

The Christian Committal will immediately follow the services in the Booker T. Washington Cemetery.

LOCAL FLORIST:   lakelandflorist.com (918)687-7574