Betty Parks

Betty Jean McCoy Parks, 91, of Prairie Grove, Arkansas, died on December 2, 2022, at House of Three in Rogers, Arkansas. She was born September 6, 1931, in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, to Leslie and Bertha Barnes McCoy. Betty grew up during the Great Depression and World War II, and she and her brother were mostly raised by their hard-working mother. Betty graduated from Siloam Springs High School in 1949 and later worked at First National Bank on the Fayetteville Square in the 1950s. She and Paul Gayer were the first tellers to work at the Bank’s auto drive-thru that was located on the corner of Block Avenue and Center Street.

Betty married Barry Parks in 1957 and lived in Prairie Grove where they raised their family. She was a devoted Mom to her children and Mia to her grandchildren. She attended numerous school activities through the years, including sports events, band performances, and choir concerts. Her family and friends were constantly entertained by her quick wit and snappy comebacks. After her daughters started school, Betty enjoyed many hours working in the front office with her second family, the employees of the Prairie Grove Telephone Company. She was also a former Prairie Grove Public Library board member.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband Barry; a son, Craig Houston Parks; her brother, Robert McCoy; and Lucy Mae, a stray dog who adopted Betty in 2002. Betty is survived by two daughters: Susan Parks-Spencer and husband, James, Karen Parks-Gerwig and husband, Michael; four grandchildren: Megan and husband Tyler, Drew, Riley, Will, and one great-grandson McCoy.

Betty’s family would like to thank Circle of Life Hospice and our special family at House of Three in Rogers and her caregivers Heather, Myrna, and Tina for the excellent care and support she received. One of Betty’s greatest accomplishments during this time of her life was being kicked out of hospice twice.


Memorials may be made to Friends of Prairie Grove Pound on their website or Prairie Grove Public Library, P.O. Box 10, Prairie Grove, AR 72753.