Elsie Parks entered the gates of Heaven on January 28, 2017 at her home in Salisbury MD with her family surrounding her. She was born in Chance MD on December 24, 1929 to Captain Eldon and Cassie Willing Sr… Elsie accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She served the Lord with all her heart, mind and strength throughout her whole life.
Elsie graduated from Deal Island High School in 1948. She married Alvin Parks on January 23, 1948. She was appointed Post Master of Chance MD in 1963. With the Post Office in her home, she served in that position for 28 years until her retirement in 1990. Upon retirement she volunteered at PRMC, working in same day surgery for ten years and as a hospital chaplain for seven years.
Elsie was a lifelong member of Rock Creek Methodist Church, Chance MD. She served in many roles during those years both in the church and the larger Peninsula Delaware Methodist Conference. She served as lay Leader at the Rock Creek Methodist Church and Bethesda Methodist Church in Salisbury. She was a certified lay speaker and taught classes each year at the lay speaker school. She served 8 years on the District Board with the Rev. Howard Gordy. She also served as President of the Salisbury Urban Ministry.
Elsie's great joy was teaching and sharing the Word of God in many different Bible study settings, at Rock Creek Methodist, Bethesda and St. Johns Methodist in Fruitland. She taught all ages from the youngest to the oldest. Her greatest joy was teaching the Word of God to young people over the years. It is easy to say she was greatly respected and loved by all she had the privilege to share with On May 12, 2006 she received the Order of Saint Barnabas Award for outstanding Service in the ministry of Stewardship from the Peninsula Delaware Methodist Conference. After all these years of serving the most important thing is, Elsie loved her heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
Elsie is survived by her husband, Alvin of 69 years and her son Burt. Three grandchildren – Angela Parks Rathkamp (Jim), Nicole Parks Seeley (Bill) and Sam Parks (Amanda). Nine great grandchildren – Allison Rathkamp King (Michael), Emily and Sarah Rathkamp, Braden, Rachel and Ruby Seeley, Preston, Everett and Asher Parks. One brother – Jack Willing Sr. and many nephews and nieces whom she dearly loved.
Elsie is preceded in death by her parents, Captain Eldon and Cassie Willing Sr. a son - Samuel Alvin Parks, a brother – Eldon Willing Jr. and two sisters – Dorothy Willing Webster and Jane Willing Ellis.
A Memorial service will be held at Rock Creek Methodist Church in Chance MD on Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 2:00 P.M. Pastor David Webster will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given in Elsie's memory to the Rock Creek Methodist Church and or Rock Creek Youth Ministry. Donations can be sent to Linda Horseman, Treasurer, 10674 Toddville Road, Chance MD 21821.