Dorothy Faye Parks

Dorothy Faye (Miller) Parks, age 90, of Lamar, Missouri passed away on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Cox Barton County Hospital in Lamar, MO.

Dorothy was born August 10, 1933 in Claremore, Oklahoma at the home of Roy Miller and Mary Ella (Hooper) Miller, as the oldest of four children. Attending country grade schools in the Milford area, Dorothy graduated in 1951 from Lamar High School. On March 5, 1955, Dorothy married Dwight Parks in Carthage, Missouri, beginning a union that would span over 66 years until Dwight's passing on November 5, 2021.

After high school, Dorothy went to work for the Monett Times newspaper as a typesetter. Once Dwight was out of the Air Force, he and Dorothy started dating and married only six weeks after their first date. Together Dorothy and Dwight owned several businesses; Parks Furniture and Hardware, Lamar License Bureau, D-X Service Station, and Smith-Glynn Callaway Optical Shop in Springfield. Dorothy worked for the Lamar Democrat for many years as a Linotype operator until the late 1970's, when at that time she found her real calling, being a childcare provider. It is estimated that Dorothy had influence on several hundred little boys and girls, giving the parents ease of mind as she watched their precious children. Hardly ever was she sick and became the quick go-to in the Lamar area when someone was looking for a sitter. Dorothy had a firm hand and was not afraid to use it, a soft tongue and hand when one needed their boo-boo kissed and a hug, whilst making an influence on 10 to15 kids a day, she still had time to bake cookies weekly, make all the beds in the house daily, and assure no dust was allowed to settle. After the kids left for the day, Dorothy always had a hot meal on the table, then would do the evening chores that needed done.

Amongst the activities that made Dorothy the happiest was watching her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in any and all activities. Baseball and softball were among her most favorite sports, which she could always be found sitting on her lawn chair with her flip pad and pen, keeping the scorekeeper honest! She also loved working in her flower beds and making sure her yard was perfectly manicured. Dorothy took much pride when she would receive Yard of the Month from the Master Gardeners, and was so proud when they would place in the City of Lamar's Christmas lighting contest for Ward One.

After retirement, Dorothy found much joy in volunteering for 17 years at both Truman Healthcare and Maple Living Center where she would call Bingo for the residents. She also enjoyed playing her Q-Chord and singing with Richard Ryan's band; going to Joplin every Saturday hunting bargains at the Flea Market; and making special cross-stitched birth announcements for all of her children, grandchildren, and first 17 great-grandchildren. Unfortunately, dementia took control of her mind she wasn't able to finish the last four great-grandchildrens announcements.

Dorothy is survived by two sons, David (Miranda) Parks and Darin Parks; two daughters, Deana (Bill) Baker and Denny (Russ) Massa, all of Lamar; eight grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; one brother, Gerry (Brenda) Miller; and a sister-in-law, Jane Miller and a host of nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dwight; one brother, Don Miller; one sister, Vicki Miller; and one grandson, Mike Vestal.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Daniel Funeral Home with burial to follow in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Lamar.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., Thursday, January 25, 2024, prior to the service at the funeral home.

Contributions are suggested and made payable to the Barton County Memorial Park in care of Daniel Funeral Home.

 Condolences may be shared at www.dfhlamar.com