Joe Jackson-Parks

Joe Jackson-Parks, age 18, of Jefferson City, Missouri, and Champaign, Illinois, passed away Saturday, November 23, 2013, as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Warrensburg, Missouri. He was born August 12, 1995, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a son of Thurman Parks and Dionne Smith. He was a 2013 graduate of Central High School in Champaign, Illinois. He was currently a freshman at Lincoln University and was on the Lincoln Blue Tiger football team. Joe enjoyed playing football, wrestling, and performing in the shot-put during Track & Field events. Joe is survived by his father: Thurman Parks of Grand Rapids, Michigan; his mother: Dionne Smith of Indianapolis, Indiana; four brothers: Thurman Parks Jr., Dezmond Parks, Michael Miller, Eric Lewis; four sisters: Kristeena Smith-Jackson, Ronnieceya Smith, Ashley Parks, Jephri McGarity; paternal grandmother: Genivive Martin; maternal grandparents: Joe and Diane Jackson; and a host of aunts, uncles and cousins. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, December 2, 2013, in Jason Gymnasium at Lincoln University in Jefferson City. Additional services will be held at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at Gillespie Funeral Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Blue Tiger Quarterback Club at Lincoln University. Arrangements are under the direction of HOUSER-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 2613 West Main Street; Jefferson City, MO 65109. (573) 636-3838. Condolences may be left for the family online at www.millardfamilychapels.com