Mr. Milton Chambers Parks, 90, of Tangier Island, died Wednesday, May 18, 2022, at Alice Byrd Tawes Nursing Home in Crisfield, Md.
Born on Tangier Island July 29, 1931, he was a son of the late Charles Roland Parks and the late Annie Kelso Pruitt Parks. His wife of 60 years, Elizabeth Inez “Betty” Bradshaw Parks, preceded him in death April 25, 2012.
Milton was proud to have graduated valedictorian of his Tangier High School Class. He worked as a waterman/commercial fisherman and had a great love for crab dredging. He was also owner and operator of Parks Marina and enjoyed talking to each and every boater that docked there. In addition, he served several years in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves.
He was a member of Swain Memorial United Methodist Church and Redmen. He will long be remembered for his down-to-earth yet funny personality, his generosity, and his kindheartedness.
He is survived by his children, Christy Parks Pruitt, of Orange, Va., Milton Edward “Mickey” Parks and wife, Cathy, of Crisfield, Elizabeth Inez Pruitt and husband, Jerry Frank, of Tangier, James Roland Parks and wife, Wanda, of Tangier, and Robert Wayne Parks and wife, Jeanine, of Amelia, Va.; grandchildren, Anna Elizabeth Pruitt-Parks and husband, Jared, of Tangier, Irene Marie Woodall and husband, Rob, of Griffin, Ga., James Dail Parks and wife, Leah, of Columbus, Ohio, Lonnie Sandlin and husband, Ben, of Hebron, Md., Casey Dail, of Katy, Texas, Whitney Ogle and husband, Kenny, of Suffolk, Va., Paige Parks, of Amelia, VA, Nora Manziano and husband Pat of New Orleans, LA, Payton Parks of Amelia, Presley Parks, of Amelia, and Gavin Parks, of Crisfield; great-grandchildren, Samuel and Wesley Parks, Jaxson Thomas, Jack and Bret Sandlin, Charlotte and Lyla Ogle, and Ezra and Lorelai Manziano; and nieces, Eugenia Pruitt, Edwina Nelson, and Rita Pruitt.
Along with his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Rose Dulane Parks; and his brother, Edwin “Eddie Boy” Parks.
Funeral services officiated by the Rev. Charles W. Parks III and Elder Duane Crockett were Sunday, May 22, 2022, at 2 p.m., at Swain Memorial United Methodist Church on Tangier. Interment was in Sunnyridge Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Swain Memorial United Methodist Church, Tangier, VA 23440.
Arrangements are in the care of Bradshaw & Sons Funeral Home in Crisfield.
