In Loving Memory of Danette Parks

With profound sadness, we announce the death of Danette LaFaye Parks, who passed away on July 26, 2026, at Shands Hospital in Gainesville, Florida, at the age of 48.

Danette was born on April 4, 1978, in Slidell Louisiana. She lived a life full of laughter, loyalty, compassion, and unwavering love. Whether you knew her for a lifetime or only a short while, you likely walked away feeling like family. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel seen, welcomed, and loved.

Danette was preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Merle and Margaret Fenton; her uncle Randy Fenton, her Mother in Law, Carol-Ann Parks, and many who are gone, but never forgotten.

She leaves behind the family that was the center of her world: her devoted husband, Charles Parks; her children, Taryn, Trace, and Alexandria Epperson, CJ, Sam and Tanner Parks and Clayton Smith; and her treasured grandchildren, Joseph and Kaylee “Miss Ma’am” Parks, and Callahan Smith, who brought endless joy and purpose to her life.

She is also survived by her mother, Christine Daniel, and stepfather, Ken Daniel; her father, Robert Seelye, and stepmother, Melinda Seelye; father in law Don Parks, mother in law Margie Isreal-Sorrells Ouellette, her aunt Rhonda Mullins; her sisters, Deana, Rae and Samantha Esslinger, and Shawna Fenton; her brothers, Bobby and Cole Seelye; her soul sister, Christie LaVoie; her cousins, Leah and Larry Mullins, nieces, Sydney Parks, Alyssa Anderson and Alauna Esslinger; her great niece Ensleigh Bynum; her nephews, Cole Parks, MJ Watkins, Theodore Bradford, Dalton Brown and Sawyer, Finn, and Thatcher Pavao-Fenton; there are countless cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws and dear friends who were blessed to know her. Her love and light reached far beyond her immediate family, leaving an imprint on hearts near and far.

Danette’s greatest joy was her family. She loved cozy movie nights at home with Charlie, hopping on a plane to Illinois to spend time with her dad, or traveling to Texas to wrap her arms around her babies. Nothing compared to the happiness she found in spoiling her grandchildren and watching them play. Every visit, every laugh, and every hug was something she treasured.

Danette loved her Jeeps. So much so that, before she got her very own, she worked for many years as the mail carrier, finally getting to drive her a Jeep! Although it didn’t have air conditioning, and the steering wheel was on the opposite side, she was, as they say “happy as a clam”. Danette in the recent years worked at Cedar Key School, where coworkers quickly became family. She had a way of making every workday feel lighter, filling the halls with laughter, kindness, and her unmistakable sense of humor.

To know Danette was to know someone who loved fiercely and laughed wholeheartedly. She was the comedic relief in every room she entered, never passing up the opportunity to tell a joke—especially one that was just a little risqué. She was the friend who showed up, the mother who never stopped loving, and the wife who cherished every moment with her family.

She found joy in life’s simple pleasures. You could often find her with an ice-cold Dr Pepper in hand, singing every word to Stevie Nicks, or savoring her favorite shrimp and grits from the Island Hotel. Her famous biscuit bread was a staple at family dinners and will be missed almost as much as the love that was poured into it. Danette believed family wasn’t only defined by blood but by love. She built a “Brady Bunch” of her very own, opening her heart and her home to everyone. She made each person feel like they belonged, and that was one of her greatest gifts.

Though our hearts are broken, we find comfort in the love Danette gave so freely, the family she built, and the faith that carried her through life and into eternity. We have peace knowing she felt secure in her faith until the very end, and we rest in the hope that we will see her again.

A viewing will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Weems & Sons Funeral Home, 715 W. Park Avenue, Chiefland, Florida.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, beginning at 4:00 p.m. at the family home, 4990 SW 105th Avenue, Cedar Key, Florida. Please come prepared to share stories, laughter, and memories of Danette, and stay as long as your heart desires.

When you hear Stevie Nicks on the radio, order shrimp and grits at the Island Hotel, or crack open an ice-cold Dr Pepper, think of Danette. Smile, laugh a little too loudly, love your people fiercely, and know that’s exactly how she’d want to be remembered.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Weems & Sons Funeral Homes.

Danette Parks

April 04, 1978 - July 26, 2026

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