Ruth Parks

Funeral services for Ruth Parks “the butterfly lady”, will be held at 2:30 PM, Monday, September 21, 2026 at Crossroads Church of Christ in Crossroads, LA with Don Delukie officiating. Assisting in the service will be Terry Ware and Tommy Lindsey. Music will be led by Rusty Hodge. Visitation will be held at 1:30 PM, prior to the service, at the church. A brief graveside service and the release of butterflies will be held at Rocky Branch Cemetery with Ronnie Parks officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Farrar Funeral Home.

Ruth was born June 16, 1932 and saw her heavenly Father on September 18, 2026.

Butterflies and hummingbirds escorted Ruth to heaven. She had a love for these that lasted her entire life. Ruth had at least a million butterflies and hummingbird pins and decorations given to her by family and friends that she began to give away in the last few years. She worked for the Woman’s Clinic for 27 years before she retired, but never really retired. Ruth continued to work for several doctors and then for her daughter, Rhonda Burdeaux, FNP. She loved taking care of others and baking tea cakes for those she loved. She enjoyed spending time with her children or grandchildren, including a four-legged one name Ace. Ruth loved her church and was very supportive of Crossroads Church of Christ for many years and was one of its founding members. One of Ruths favorite times was Sunday lunch at her house after church. She never knew how many would show up, but there was always enough food. Like Jesus feeding the 5000, there was always food leftover.

Ruth was a little tough on her daughters and by “alittle”, she definitely kept them in line! She wanted them to do well in life, make good choices, and stay out of trouble. And they are proud to report that all three daughters made it to the end with no criminal records, as far as each other knows, so Ruth considered that a pretty successful parenting job. She also had some very strong opinions about how they should dress. Ruth loved her butterfly pins and thought they should love them too. They did not. She wanted their outfits to match perfectly, and somehow, they never quite managed to cooperate. But underneath all of her rules, opinions, and motherly lectures was a woman who loved her girls fiercely. Ruth wanted the very best for them and was so proud of the women they became. She wanted their houses clean, clothes matching, butterfly pins on, and lives in order. They may not have followed all of her rules, but they will always carry the love she put into raising them, and they know she’s in heaven making sure they’re still doing right.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Wendell “O.W.” Parks and her husband, Van Breedlove; parents, Ethram Mann and Celia Simpson Dodd; her precious daughter, Kathy Parks; grandson, Logan Stover; and brothers Clayton Dodd and Norman Dodd.

She is survived by her daughters, Conni Parks, Sheryl Ramsey (Andy), and Rhonda Burdeaux (David); special niece, who was like a daughter, Marilyn Tatum (Huey); grandchildren, Holli Hayes (Barry), Tyler Burdeaux (Lena Kate), Dylan Burdeaux (Chase), Kaci Freeman, and Kade Freeman; 11 great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; and numerous other nieces, nephews, and close friends and family.

Serving as pallbearers will be David Burdeaux, Tyler Burdeaux, Reese Burdeaux, Dylan Burdeaux, Troy DuGuary, Barry Hayes, Ayden Greenwell, Andy Ramsey, Jeff Hendricks, Kevin Dodd, and Steve Thurston.

The family would like to give special thanks to Elara Hospice, especially her nurse Taylor and Ms. Shirley, whom Ruth, along with their family, appreciated and admired so much. And a very heartfelt thank you to her caregiver, Tiffany Wines, who loved and cared for Ruth during these last months, Ruth loved her very much. Along with Mrs. Kathy Ware and her weekly visits that never failed to include Brookshires chicken livers.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christian Relief Fund, P.O. Box 19670, Amarillo, TX 79114, in memory of Ruth, who faithfully supported for many years.