Gayle Parks Smith

Mrs. Gayle Parks Smith, 67, wife of the late John Smith and the late Jack Laird and a lifelong resident of Tangier Island, VA, passed away Saturday, September 30, 2017.

Born September 7, 1950 on Tangier Island, she was a daughter of the late John Lewis Parks and Annie I. Parks.  Gayle was a lifelong member of Swain Memorial United Methodist Church and a dedicated volunteer for the Tangier History Museum.  Though her church and the museum were her passions, she especially enjoyed, and looked forward to, summers spent with her special great-niece, Isabella Bergquist, whom she affectionately referred to as her “little angel”. 

Survivors include her sister, Cora Sue Press and husband Rick of Parksley, VA; brother, Roger Parks and wife Ginny of Moratico, VA; two nieces, Patty Sue Bergquist and husband Jimmy, and Cindy Parks Swift and husband Gregory; four nephews, Tony Wheatley and wife Gayle, Kenneth Parks and wife Peggy, David Parks and wife Ann, and Torance Press and wife Melissa; several great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and many dear friends.  In addition to her husbands and parents, Gayle was predeceased by her special brother-in-law, Norman Wheatley.

A memorial service will be conducted from the chapel of the Williams-Onancock Funeral Home on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., with The Reverend Charles W. Parks III officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the Liberty Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.  There will also be a memorial service at Swain Memorial United Methodist Church on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m., with The Reverend John Flood officiating.  

Memorial contributions may be made in Gayle’s memory to the Swain Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 199, Tangier, VA 23440, or to the Tangier History Museum, P.O. Box 182, Tangier, VA 23440.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams Funeral Homes, Onancock and Parksley, VA.