Donna Mae Parks

Donna Mae Parks, 87, died Friday, January 1, 2021 at Patient Care Medical Center after a brief struggle with coronavirus. Mrs. Parks was born on September 15, 1933 in Clearfield, Utah, to Frank Herman Dellenbach and Leona (Conshafter) Dellenbach. Her early years were in Clearfield, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Nursing. Donna lived and worked briefly in Chillicothe, Ohio before moving to Gulfport in 1962. She retired from the Gulfport/Biloxi VA Medical Center after thirty plus years of service. Donna married James (Jim) M. Parks, in 1953 and together they had three sons; Cary James, the late Steven Eugene and the late Theodore Scott Parks. Donna and Jim’s love of sailing brought them to the Gulf Coast. She enjoyed travelling around the world, boating and spending time with family. Jim and Donna were members of the Mardi Gras Folie a Krewe hosting the Krewe’s float until it was lost to Katrina. Donna and Jim’s indomitable spirit refused to allow a storm like Hurricane Katrina to drive them away from their beloved Gulf Coast. They rallied the community with signs of “Blvd of Broken Dreams”, Hiway of Hope” and “On the Road to Recovery” and rebuilt the family home. Donna and Jim were very instrumental in the preservation of Jones Park after its destruction during Hurricane Katrina. She was preceded in death by her parents Frank Herman and Leona Dellenbach, husband Jim, sons T. Scott Parks and Steven Parks and sister Dorothy Dellenbach Roberts and sister-in-laws Barbara Dellenbach, and Cheryl Barlow Parks. She is survived by son Cary J. (Jae) Parks, Hampton, Virginia and brothers Robert Dellenbach ( (Mary Jane), Donald Dellenbach and sister Barbara Sorrell. She leaves to cherish her memory of grandchildren; Mesha K. Parks, Washington, Jerale D. Clebourne, Lynchburg, Virginia and great grandchildren Kirstin A. and Xoe E. Clebourne, Lynchburg, Virginia along with numerous friends and family. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to Alzheimer's Association or a charity of one’s choice. The funeral service will be Friday, January 15, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport with visitation at 1:00 pm to time of service. Due to COVID-19, attendance will be limited. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery, Biloxi at a later date. The 2:00 p.m. service will be livestreamed on Bradford O’Keefe Funeral Home’s Facebook page.