Bennie Parks, Jr.

MADISON- Bennie Parks, Jr., age 84, was called to his heavenly home on Dec. 28, 2013. Bennie was born Aug. 13, 1929, in Concord, Georgia, son of Bennie Parks, Sr. and Lola Hill. Bennie moved to Madison in 1953, married Ann Miles in 1956, and they were married 14 years. Bennie married Margaret Evans on Nov. 25, 1976 at St. Paul A.M.E. Church. Bennie accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at an early age and was a long-term member of St. Paul AME Church, which he joined after an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army in 1953. Bennie served as trustee, treasurer, usher, and member of the Senior and Male Chorus. Bennie was a faithful member of New Beginnings Alliance Church since 2002, where he served as usher. Bennie graduated from the Barber Science program at Madison Area Technical College in 1959 and was an apprentice of Taylor Smith. He began barbering in 1962 for the Reverend James Wright, who owned a barber shop at 1610 Gilson Street. In 1965, Bennie purchased the shop and renamed it “Ben’s Barber Shop and Ebony Boutique,” where he remained owner until his retirement in December, 1994. Bennie enjoyed golf, bowling, fishing, traveling, offering wisdom, and speaking with family and friends. Bennie is survived by his wife Margaret of 37 years; sons Terrell (Tara) Harris of Thomaston, Georgia, Glenn (Tamaria) of Atlanta, Georgia, daughters Andrea Johnson of Killeen, Texas, and Glenna (Durond) Algee of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; grandchildren D’andre Johnson, Tenisha Harris, Siettah Parks, Adia Parks, Davon Algee, Elohim Harris, and Tyanna Harris; nieces Agnes Shipman, Letitia (Carlton) Martin, Felicia Stewart, and Sheila (Gregory) McKitt; and a host of loving family and friends. Bennie was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Naomi Shipman. Funeral services will be held at ST. PAUL A.M.E CHURCH, 4525 Diamond Drive, Madison, at noon on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, with Pastor William (Rick) Badger of New Beginnings Alliance Church Officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of service on Saturday. Burial to follow at Sunset Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or Agrace HospiceCare. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com