Wave Marie Josey Parks, 93, died peacefully on Sunday, June 26, 2011, at the Presbyterian Community of South Carolina in Lexington. Born in St. Charles, S.C., on November 6, 1917, she was the daughter of the late Luther Fleming and Edith Scarborough Josey.

After graduating from Coker College, she taught elementary school in Edgefield, S.C., where she met her future husband, Norman Curtis Parks. A long-time resident of Columbia, she was an active member of First Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and taught 5th Grade Sunday School for over 30 years. After joining Shandon Presbyterian Church in 1993, she actively participated in many areas of that church's life. She was a part of group that received statewide recognition for their volunteer work at the Tucker Center and was also a member of the Rotary Book Club. She was a resident of the Presbyterian Community of South Carolina in Lexington where she was nurtured by that caring community.

A talented soprano soloist, she enjoyed sharing her gift of singing. She loved gardening and found great pleasure in cooking for family and friends. She was a cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend whose infectious smile and faith-filled spirit brought joy to all who knew her.

Predeceased by her husband of 36 years, she is survived by daughters, Susan Parks Grissom and her husband, Jerry Grissom, of Dallas, Texas, and Karen Parks Calhoun and her husband, John Calhoun, of Cary, N.C. She was known as ?Mehmeh' to grandchildren: Gillian Grissom Locke of Durham, N.C., Jonathan Calhoun of Jacksonville, Fla., and Andrew Grissom of Los Angeles, Calif. She is also survived by sister, Lucia Caldwell of Newberry, S.C., sisters-in-law Mary Josey of Mayesville, S.C., and Elva Josey of Beaufort, S.C., and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by seven sisters and brothers.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, August 4, 2011, at Shandon Presbyterian Church. The family will visit with friends at a reception immediately following the service in Davis Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Centennial Campaign, Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC, 29205; the Garden Fund, Presbyterian Communities, 2817 Ashland Road, Columbia, SC 29210; or Palmetto Health Foundation, PO Box 100199, Dept 274, Columbia, SC 29202.