Obituary for Taylor Dixon Parks
Taylor Dixon Parks, age 24, of Salem went to spend eternal life in his heavenly Father’s house after a courageous battle with cancer on May 27,2019. He was born on June 20 1994, the son of Kenneth Joe Parks Jr and Alicia Dixon Parks. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Alta Hughes Dixon, and his paternal grandparents Joe Parks Sr and Alice McHone Parks. In addition to his parents, Taylor leaves to cherish his memory brothers Joshua (Christina) and Shane (Katelyn), maternal grandfather Fred Dixon, niece Lilly Parks and nephews Landen, Lucas, Micah, Leland and many other loving family member and friends.
The family would like to thank Sandy Huffman for spending many days and nights with Taylor in the hospital and her family for giving her up for those times, Dr. Luther Beazley, Dr. Jeri Lantz, the staff at PTOR, Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (especially 9SICU), Carillion Clinic, UVA Charlottesville and Children’s National Washington D.C. and many other services throughout the years who cared for Taylor as one of their own. Also, the many people who continued to cover us in prayer through many years.
Taylor accepted Christ and put his trust in God’s plan and over the years touched many lives. He would want people to know that God helped him through his battle with cancer and the years that followed. Though he could not communicate with others during this time, his communion with Christ was not hampered by his physical limitations. Following is something his grandfather wrote in 2005 and expresses Taylor’s point of view so well.
The following is, of course, not written by Taylor, but reflects his earthly beliefs, attitudes and love of his Savior.
My name is Taylor Parks and I have a new address – Heaven. I leave behind my earthly body that has given me great problems and pain. My 24 years on earth are also behind me but were filled with love, prayers and caring from so many people. My mom and dad were great during my first 10 years They provided me with all of the necessities of life, but most important they provided a way for me to feel the love of God and to accept His Son as my Savior. That’s why I am where I am today and trust me you would be totally amazed at what I feel today and will for the rest of eternity. Total satisfaction. During my childhood, I also want to thank my brothers Josh and Shane. They sometimes did things to me as brothers do, but I know they loved me and I really love them.
It was during my last year 15 years that I realized how much people did love me. During my bout with cancer, my mom has spent many days and nights by my side in Roanoke, Charlottesville and even Washington DC. Mom and Dad have sacrificed their lives for me during this time. They talked to me and let me know how much they cared. People may think I wasn’t listening but I was. Thanks Mom and Dad. I love you.
I said to nurses and others who were around that my best friend is Jesus and you know what? He was with me every step of my illness and He was there to welcome me in my new home.
I want to thank all of the people who visited, prepared food for my family, did all kinds of fund raising and most of all who prayed for me and them. I really felt these prayers. I also want to thank God for listening to all of those prayers and using them to help me and cause the ones who prayed to be close to God.
Don’t feel that God didn’t answer all these prayers ‘cause you won’t believe this, but I am now completely healed.
Written by Fred Dixon in 2005 when Taylor was on Hospice. God wasn’t through with him yet, so, it was revised May 27, 2019, the date of his Home-going.
A celebration of Taylor’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, Va. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, Va.
Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.
The family would like to thank Sandy Huffman for spending many days and nights with Taylor in the hospital and her family for giving her up for those times, Dr. Luther Beazley, Dr. Jeri Lantz, the staff at PTOR, Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital (especially 9SICU), Carillion Clinic, UVA Charlottesville and Children’s National Washington D.C. and many other services throughout the years who cared for Taylor as one of their own. Also, the many people who continued to cover us in prayer through many years.
Taylor accepted Christ and put his trust in God’s plan and over the years touched many lives. He would want people to know that God helped him through his battle with cancer and the years that followed. Though he could not communicate with others during this time, his communion with Christ was not hampered by his physical limitations. Following is something his grandfather wrote in 2005 and expresses Taylor’s point of view so well.
The following is, of course, not written by Taylor, but reflects his earthly beliefs, attitudes and love of his Savior.
My name is Taylor Parks and I have a new address – Heaven. I leave behind my earthly body that has given me great problems and pain. My 24 years on earth are also behind me but were filled with love, prayers and caring from so many people. My mom and dad were great during my first 10 years They provided me with all of the necessities of life, but most important they provided a way for me to feel the love of God and to accept His Son as my Savior. That’s why I am where I am today and trust me you would be totally amazed at what I feel today and will for the rest of eternity. Total satisfaction. During my childhood, I also want to thank my brothers Josh and Shane. They sometimes did things to me as brothers do, but I know they loved me and I really love them.
It was during my last year 15 years that I realized how much people did love me. During my bout with cancer, my mom has spent many days and nights by my side in Roanoke, Charlottesville and even Washington DC. Mom and Dad have sacrificed their lives for me during this time. They talked to me and let me know how much they cared. People may think I wasn’t listening but I was. Thanks Mom and Dad. I love you.
I said to nurses and others who were around that my best friend is Jesus and you know what? He was with me every step of my illness and He was there to welcome me in my new home.
I want to thank all of the people who visited, prepared food for my family, did all kinds of fund raising and most of all who prayed for me and them. I really felt these prayers. I also want to thank God for listening to all of those prayers and using them to help me and cause the ones who prayed to be close to God.
Don’t feel that God didn’t answer all these prayers ‘cause you won’t believe this, but I am now completely healed.
Written by Fred Dixon in 2005 when Taylor was on Hospice. God wasn’t through with him yet, so, it was revised May 27, 2019, the date of his Home-going.
A celebration of Taylor’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem, Va. Burial will follow at Sherwood Memorial Park in Salem, Va.
Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the hour of the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnmoakey.com.