USAF Veteran, Elder Henry Sandy Parks, Jr. of 3202 Lancaster Lane, Albany, Georgia, died Thursday, August 21, 2025, at his residence.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 11:00 AM in the sanctuary of The Restoration Church in Americus, Georgia.  The burial, with military honors, will follow at the Andersonville National Cemetery in Andersonville, Georgia.

Act I:  The Beginning

Henry Sandy Parks, Jr., lovingly known to his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and bonus children as Opa and to his friends as Sandy. Was born on September 14, 1940, in Arcadia, Oklahoma, the parentage of  Henry Sandy Parks, Sr. and Ida Norene Parks. From the very beginning, he was full of grit, charm, and a spirit that seemed too big for one lifetime. Those who knew him as a child would tell you he was always up to something — whether it was making a joke at the wrong time or sneaking an extra helping of sweets!. Even then, his laughter carried far, and his determination carried him further.

Act II:  A Life of Service

In his young adulthood, Sandy answered the call to serve the United States Air Force and retired in 1979. And he also served as a transit driver for the city of Americus. However, during his military tenure, his discipline, courage, and commitment shaped him into a man of honor. He served faithfully during the Vietnam War era, where the effects of Agent Orange would later leave their mark on his health. But if you knew him, you know he never complained — he just squared his shoulders, took a deep breath (sometimes literally fighting for that breath), and kept on moving.

His service was not just in uniform, but in the way he lived his whole life: faithfully, loyally, and with a deep sense of duty to God, his family, and his country.

Act III:  Love & Marriage

It was during those Air Force years that destiny gave Henry Sandy Parks, Jr. his greatest blessing. At a base talent showcase, he sang against a young woman named Frances Moore. She won the competition that night — but he won her heart. From then on, they were inseparable, a duet that lasted for 48 years. As they created a platinum love album three hit singles were born Eugenia Faye Carter, Shelby Lamont Parks, and BeShea Niambi Parks-Terry. Together they built a life full of song, laughter, and children, raising their family with faith as the foundation and love as the melody. Their marriage was a living testimony until her passing in 2010.

In God's Grace, in 2014, Sandy, was given a second chance at love and companionship. He  married Alice Mae Mitchell, entering into a second marriage that lasted 11 years. Embracing her family in love and extending the same love to her children, he continued his legacy of loving as Jesus intended unconditionally.

Act IV:  Family, Faith & Legacy

Opa was a man of strong hands and a soft heart. He could fix a car, tell a joke, or pray you through your darkest night. His children and grandchildren will remember him for his humor/love of music/deep love for the Word of God! To know him was to love him, he would help anyone that asked sometimes to his own detriment.

He was a man of deep faith, who knew that his Redeemer lived. Even as illness wore on his body, his spirit stayed strong, and he often reminded his family, "Don't worry about me. I know where I'm going."

Act V:  The Final Curtain

On August 21, 2025, surrounded by love and in peace, Sandy, took his final bow on earth and stepped into the store house of God. He was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Ida Parks, brother Carey Rasheed, sister Norene Byrd, and great grand daughter Zara Terry.

He leaves behind his wife of 11 years, Alice Mae Parks; his loving children Eugenia Faye Carter, Shelby (Ann & Jessica) Parks, BeShea Parks-Terry; his grandchildren Joshua Ryines; Nia Brooke Smith, Azlyn (Jordan) Bimbow, Jaden (Justin) Johnson, Kemuel Terry, Dupree Parks, Brodrick Parks, Chandrica Dennard, Caitlin (Immanuel) Reid; his great-grandchildren Journee Bimbow and Jaylee Bimbow; his siblings Odessa Moon, Wanda Wade, Lora (Delbert) Griffin, Faruq (Zandra) Rasheed, his step-children King Soloman Mitchell, Marland Mitchell, Robert Mitchell, Micheal Mitchell; sister-in-law Florence (Sam) Mann, brother-in-law Henry (Joann) Moore, Sr. L.C. Williams, Willie L. Williams; Bonus children: Kytira (Michael) Reddick, Kelita   Davis, Shirley (Len) Griffin, Kari (Marvin) Owens, Leonard Tyson, Henry Moore, Jr., Tara Mann, Rick Mann and Betty Hicks; close friends Patricia (Tico) Pace, Elder Gloria Bryant, and Robert Williams and a host of family, friends, and brothers and sisters in faith.

Though the curtain has closed on this earthly stage, his laughter, his lessons, and his love continue to echo in the hearts of all who knew him.