Lora Jean Parks, 78, of Macomb, Ill., passed away at 10:20 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at The Elms in Macomb.
Lora was born March 16, 1947, in Burlington, the daughter of Maurice and Adra Harrison Shipley. On August 13, 1977, she married Bruce D. Parks at the Oak Street Baptist Church in Burlington, Iowa. He preceded her in death April 17, 2015.
Lora was raised in West Burlington and graduated from West Burlington High School. When her children were young she stayed home to raise her family and later returned to work at HyVee in Burlington. Lastly, she was employed at the Jackson Street Market in Macomb.
She enjoyed cooking, gardening, flowers, hummingbirds, and especially the time spent with her grandchildren. Lora will be remembered for all the lives she touched and the way she cared for everyone.
Survivors include two children: Jimmy Parks and Jena Parks; three step-children: Sonya (Scott) Quednow, Steve Parks and Troy Parks; seventeen grandchildren: Charity, Abby, Blake, Gabe, Bruce, Roxanne, Hunter, Danyel, Ciara, Drake, Dakota, Kiley, Kayoaina, Jemar, Lily, Reed, Charley and five siblings: Velma Johnson, Judy Coyle, Jim Shipley, Tom Shipley and Rhonda Miller.
Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by two step-sons: Rocky and Rick Parks and five siblings, Carolyn Herman, Nancy Moore, Otis Shipley, Johnny Shipley and Larry Shipley.
Banks & Beals Funeral Home of LaHarpe is assisting the family.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the LaHarpe Union Church.
The funeral service for Lora will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 9, 2026 at the LaHarpe Union Church, with Rev. Rick Goettsche officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery in Macomb.
A memorial fund has been established for the LaHarpe Union Church, MDH Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Foundation. To leave an online condolence for family, please visit Lora’s obituary at banksandbeals.com.