Reflections of a Beautiful Life
Jesse L. Parks, III will be remembered by his wife and children, family members, neighbors and friends for his unique way of sharing his kindness, hospitality, love and concern for others.
Jesse, a son of the late Jesse Lee Parks, Jr. and Lucille Goodson Parks, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. At an early age, his family relocated to Springfield, Massachusetts where he spent his elementary, high school and early adult years. In 1993, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia. On Saturday, August 7, 2010, he entered into eternal rest.
Jesse Parks received his early education in the public schools of Springfield, Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Springfield Classical High School and Columbia University. In 1973, he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Columbia University, New York City, New York.
He was an outstanding athlete during his High School and College years. While at Columbia University, he was a three-time All Ivy receiver for the Lions. In 1972, he was a team co-captain. Jesse’s good speed and great hands were what made him a football standout as well as a pro baseball prospect. He was a star for the Lions baseball team and still ranks in the top 10 for triples all-time. After college, he joined a top minor league football team, the New England Colonials. After leaving the New England Colonials, he worked for two years at Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in group pensions. In 1977, he joined the International Business Machines (IBM), Corporation as an Administrative Operations Manager. In 1990, he re-joined Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company in Atlanta, Georgia where he managed the Atlanta Regional Service Center. In 1996, he worked as a Marketing Coordinator/Paralegal for Hunton & Williams Law Firm in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition, Jesse worked for Nations Funding and Sunrise Bank of Atlanta. His most recent position was at Imagine International Academy of Smyrna, where he worked as an administrative assistant.
Jesse made a difference in the community. He took great pride in working with Springfield community-based organizations. He became the co-chariman of the Youth Cultural Educational Organization of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, president of the local chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and a member of the Riverfront Development Commission. He also served as regional area director of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He served on the Winchester Square Task Force to improve the quality of life of the surrounding community by revitalizing Mason Square with the proper mix of retail, commerical, office, housing, industrial and institutional buildings. He was president of the board of directors of the Mason Square Development Corporation. In Atlanta, Jesse served on the board for Gate City Day Nursery for three years.
Survivors include his lovely and devoted wife, Beverly Bailey Parks; a son, Jesse L. Parks, IV of Galveston, Texas; a daughter, Kimberly Lajoi Parks, Atlanta, Georgia; a sister, Donna Hethcoat, Auburn, New York; a brother, Garry Parks, Springfield, Massachusetts; a sister, Leslie Parks, Springfield, Massachusetts; a step-brother, Craig Ross, Dallas, Texas; a step-sister, Marjorie Ross, Springfield, Massachusetts; three grand-daughters, JaQuaznai Parks, JaQuayzsha Parks, JaQueznic Thomas, Pittsburgh, PA; three aunts, Mary Perrian, Isabelle Middlebrooks and Eunice King-Butler; an uncle, Donald Scott and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, relatives and friends.