Naomi Rosella (Wells) Parks,103, of Centerpoint, Indiana, passed away Saturday, April 2, 2022, while staying at Springhill Village of Terre Haute, following complications from a stroke.
Rosella was born January 10, 1919, in Coal City, Indiana, the daughter of William Porter and Lillie Dell (Hauser) Wells. She graduated from Coal City High School, Class of 1935. On December 11,1937, Rosella married Carl Parks, Jr. Rosella served as clerk and was later promoted to Postmaster of Centerpoint, where she served for more than 30 years.
She was a member of the Ashboro and Centerpoint United Methodist Churches where she served as treasurer, sang in the choir, and played the organ and piano. Rosella enjoyed playing cards, especially Euchre, taking long walks, and attending postmasters’ meetings and conventions. She was also a member of the Busy Bees Home Economics Club and the Clay City VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was a phenomenal cook and baker, and loved to make her legendary pies, cinnamon rolls, and home-made noodles for family and friends.
Rosella was highly active in her community. Over the years, she volunteered to help with food preparation and assisting with the cash registers at the Annual Centerpoint Fish Fry. She participated in the Centerpoint “Dump Patrol,” a group that fought to prevent toxic waste from being disposed of in local landfills. After retiring from the Postal Service in 1989, Rosella continued to work, keeping the books and sending out invoices for Centerpoint Water Works, well into her 90’s. Her summers were always filled with vegetable gardening and canning.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Carl Parks, Jr., who passed away on September 27, 2011; by her parents, William Porter and Lillie Dell Wells; her siblings: Roscoe Wells, Ruth Anna Klass, Dennis Wells, Clarence Wells, Dorothy Neihart, Wilson Wells, Donald Wells, and Elnora Duncan.
Rosella is survived by her three children: Marshall Parks and wife Becca, of Terre Haute, Indiana; Roger Parks and wife Linda, of Spencer, Tennessee; Phyllis Kazdan and husband Sam of Bloomington, Indiana; grandchildren: Vaughna Tokarz (Terry), Tony Parks (Sheri), Susan Clifford (Wiley), Laura Gibson (Josh), Delyn Kazdan (Jeremy Knight); great-grandchildren: Ryan Parks, Ashley Parks, Chelsea Standiford, Chaz Fernandez, Kaylee Tokarz, Tara Tokarz, Mitchell Gibson, Chloe Clifford, Sadler Clifford, Wyatt Knight, and Theo Knight; great-great grandchildren: Chloe Fernandez, Zaxton Fernandez, and Adilyn Standiford; as well as many extended family members and friends.
Funeral services will be held at the Schoppenhorst Funeral Home, Clay City, Indiana, on Thursday, April 7, 2022, 1 PM, with Russell True officiating. Private burial at Centerpoint Cemetery will follow. Due to continuing health issues, the family requests that all those attending the service wear masks.
The family expresses its sincere gratitude to Holly Brook of Brazil, Indiana, to Springhill Village, and to Kindred Hospice of Terre Haute for the loving care and respect shown to Rosella in her final months. We are most grateful.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Owen County Community Foundation, 60 E. Market Street, Spencer, Indiana 47460 and/or Kindred Hospice, 4122 S. 7th Street, Terre Haute, Indiana 47802, in Rosella’s name.