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On July 29, 1958, a beautiful baby girl was born to Rev. Levester Wilson, Sr. and Naomi Blackburn Wilson in San Antonio, Texas. They named her Cheryl Denise Parks and affectionately called her "Neicy." She was born weighing 3 lbs. and 2 oz., and she remained in the hospital for three months, where her dad walked to visit her every day. He prayed to God that He let him have her for a short while and he promised to dedicate her life to Him. God granted the plea of this father for his child and a great gospel singer was given for the world to enjoy. Cheryl accepted the Lord Jesus Christ at an early age under the pastoral leadership of her father. She was a long standing member of Corinth Missionary Baptist Church before moving her membership to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, where she served actively and faithfully. Cheryl was a member of the Sanctuary Choir, director for the Angel Choir, a member of Mission I. Upon moving to Austin, Texas with her parents and siblings, Cheryl attended Austin public schools and graduated from A. N. McCallum High School in 1977. Cheryl quickly entered the workforce, despite being visually impaired. She was a diligent worker at many jobs and had impressively long stints as a 911 dispatch operator for the City of Austin and as a secretary at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, working alongside the infamous, Barbara Jordan. Cheryl devoted much of her time and energy as a caregiver for her family. Once her mother became ill, Cheryl dropped out of the workforce to be by her mother's side. She re-entered the workforce after her mother's death and subsequently retired upon hearing the news of her father's declining health. She was also the caregivers of her brothers, who both preceded her in death. She had a heart of gold and would spend hours devising means of transportation to be at the bedside of family and friends who were ill. Cheryl was the proud mother of one son, Christopher Parks. Her son was the love of her life and this love doubled in size at the birth of her grandchildren: Christopher Parks, Jr. and Jordan Parks. Nothing gave her more joy than seeing the faces of her grandchildren and watching them run and play. The book of life closed quietly for Cheryl Wilson-Parks on April 16, 2016. Those who are awaiting her homecoming: her parents, Reverend Levester Wilson, Sr., Naomi Wilson; and her two brothers: Rev. Levester Wilson, Jr. and Kenneth Wilson. She leaves to cherish her memories: one son, Christopher Parks (Tasha), one devoted and loving sister, Cathy Leary (Cecil), one nephew, Cecil Leary III, one niece, Bertha S. Roberts, her two grandchildren: Christopher Parks, Jr. and Jordan Parks, and a host of more relatives and close friends.

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Cheryl Wilson Parks

July 25, 1958 - April 16, 2016