Viola Ruth Parks, 86, went to her heavenly home on July 18, 2018. She was born October 31, 1931 in Hutchinson, KS, the daughter of Leroy and Viola (Clune) Newburn. Ruth married Philip Parks, the love of her life, on April 15, 1948.Ruth was a charter member of New Hope Baptist Church where she was the church nursery director for 10 years. Ruth was loved and called "Grandma Parks" by many of the children and teens of her church. Ruth was a homemaker and drove school bus for Durham Bus Service for 8 years with a perfect driving record.Preceding her in death were her husband Phil, parents, two brothersLee and Don Newburn, and two brothers-in-law, Stanley Parks and Buford Kroeker.
She is survived by her six children and their spouses; Robert and Bonnie Parks, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Thomas and Shirley Parks, Steven Parks, Jenise and Harold Nelson, Janet and Greg Peterson and Randall and Mickey Parks (all of Hutchinson); 33 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren; three sisters; Opal Kroeker, Ruby Parks and Shirley (and Ken) Hauschild (all of Hutchinson).Grandma Parks will always be known for her loving ways, her cookies, and her chicken and noodles. She loved spoiling children and puppies.Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday, July 22, 2018 and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 23, 2018 at the Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, Hutchinson, KS. Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, July 23, 2018 at the funeral chapel. Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 24, 2018 at Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, Hutchinson, KS with her Pastor, Harold Nelson presiding. Burial will be in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, KS.Memorials may be made to Hutchinson Animal Shelter (where she adopted Sandy) in care of the funeral chapel.