Mrs. Helen Ann "Hayes" Parke

Helen Ann “Hayes” Parke was born on July 7, 1925, in St. Louis, Missouri. At just 18 years old and newly graduated from high school, she met the love of her life, Roy, while working at a “five-and-dime” store in St. Louis as he was stationed there with the U.S. Army. They caught each other’s eye and were married within five weeks, a love story that would last a remarkable 65 years. Helen and Roy lived and farmed in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, until 1957, where four of their children—Cheryl, Sandee, Bobby, and Colleen—were born. Their fifth child, Gary, was born in Plant City, Florida, in 1963. Helen always said their move to Plant City was providential. Farming year-round was a dream come true, and in the years that followed, they founded Parkesdale Farms, Parkesdale Farm Market, Parkesdale Greenhouses, and Parkesdale Packing and Cooling. In the early years, Helen worked alongside Roy in the fields while raising five “active” children and maintaining a loving home. She never missed a school play, game, dance, or class trip. Their home became a gathering place for neighborhood children and friends, where Helen made a lasting impact on countless young lives. Together, Helen and Roy served as presidents of Turkey Creek High School’s Band Parents Association, Athletic Booster Club, and PTA. Helen’s priorities never wavered: God, country, and family. She was a devoted member of GracePoint (Presbyterian) Church of Plant City since 1956, where she and Roy once served as youth leaders. Helen started Parkesdale Farm Market by selling strawberries from the back of their pickup truck. She was deeply passionate about the strawberry industry and the Florida Strawberry Festival, helping it grow from a small three-day event into an eleven-day celebration with more than 650,000 attendees. Many considered her the “real” Strawberry Queen. The Strawberry Festival Main Exhibition Hall was named the Roy & Helen Parke Building in their honor. Helen served as Parade Marshal for the Strawberry Festival Parade and was awarded the Hillsborough County Lifetime Achievement in Agriculture Award. Helen and Roy always came first to each other. They worked hard and played hard, sharing a passion for travel. Together they visited every U.S. state, Hawaii more than once, and later enjoyed international travel once their children were grown. Their favorite destinations included Ireland, Russia, Germany, Australia, and Paris. Family was Helen’s ultimate passion. She was the proud mother of five children, grandmother to ten, and great-grandmother to twenty-two, with one more great-grandchild due in February. For many years, she hosted family dinners every Monday night. “Grandma” was her favorite name. Those who knew Helen describe her as a woman of deep faith in Christ, uncompromising integrity, a tender heart for those in need, great generosity, and a relentless work ethic. She was humble, gracious, encouraging, beautiful, classy, and inspiring. Many consider her not only the matriarch of the Parke family, but of all Plant City. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Anna Hayes; her sister, Eldora Oxton Nagel; the love of her life, Roy E. Parke, Jr.; her daughter, Cheryl Meeks; her son-in- law, Jim Meeks; and her great-grandson, Hayden Hitchcock. She is survived by her children: Sandee Sytsma (Hank), Bobby Parke (Peggy), Colleen Fulton (Terry), and Gary Parke (Terri). She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jim Meeks (Xiomara), Erin Parke, Calley Jordan (Chad), Kristen Hitchcock (Brett), Neal Fulton (Taylor), Matt Parke (Kandice), Amanda Ogburn (Michael), Devon Knight (Craig), Jordan Parke, and Joshua Parke. Her surviving great-grandchildren are McKenna Jordan, Hunter Hitchcock, Patrick McQuaig, Connor McQuaig, Zoe Meeks, Kaden Jordan, Hannah Hitchcock, Hailey Hitchcock, Sara Parke, Piper Meeks, Parker Jordan, Presley Jordan, Kinley Fulton, Ryleigh Fulton, Eli Knight, Finn Knight, Shanna Parke, Rory Ogburn, Isabella Knight, Shelbie Parke, Leif Knight, and an Ogburn baby due in February. Following a private family service, a Celebration of Life will be held Monday, December 29, at GracePoint Church. The family will receive friends from 3:00–6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the GracePoint Church Capital Campaign, 1107 Charlie Griffin Road, Plant City, FL 33566.

Mrs. Helen Ann "Hayes" Parke

July 7, 1925 - December 21, 2025

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Mrs. Helen Ann "Hayes" Parke

July 7, 1925 - December 21, 2025

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