Marilyn S. Parks, 83, of Mt. Vernon, passed away at 10:13 p.m., Thursday, October 19, 2023, at her home.
She was born October 23, 1939, in Benton, Illinois, the daughter of Curt and Jane (Keith) Scarborough. On June 20, 1959, in Benton, Illinois, she married Dr. Robert J. Parks, and he survives in Mt. Vernon.
Marilyn was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. She was widely traveled and was a voracious reader, and earned her Master’s in Divinity in her early 70’s. Marilyn was a “daughter of the soil,” and loved Southern Illinois, where she was born, took root, and passed away. She loved her farm, and her animals, and especially loved dogs.
In addition to her husband of 64 years, Dr. Robert Parks is survived by one son, Philip Parks and wife Valerie (Smith) of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; daughter, Dr. Jamie Leddin and husband, Dr. Patrick Leddin of Nashville, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Brock Parks and wife Abby, Zach Parks and wife Elizabeth, Seth Parks and wife Lizbeth, Alex Daley and husband Kevin, Clay Leddin and fiancée Jess Sabo; seven great-grandchildren, Fin, Garon, Arlo, Emma, James, Santiago, and Clementine; and a brother, Curt Scarborough and wife Roni of St. Charles, Missouri.
She was preceded in death by her father, Curt Scarborough; mother, Jane (Keith) Rednour; and step-father, A.G. Rednour.
Funeral services for Mrs. Parks will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, in Mt. Vernon. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, October 23, 2023, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.
