Hettie Akridge Park

Graveside services for Hettie Akridge Park, 109, of Thomasville will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, August 21, 2014 at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mrs. Park, perhaps Thomas County’s oldest citizen, and one of its premier bridge players passed away August 19, 2014 at her residence. Born in Mitchell County on April 18, 1905, she came to Thomasville in 1923 to live with her sister and to attend business school. She had just graduated from Pelham High School, one of seven in her class. Her first job was at Flower’s Ice Cream Co., located in the original Flowers Bakery Building. While working there, she met and married Tom Park, her husband of 56 years. For many years she and her husband operated Park’s Bakery on East Jackson St, where she was renowned for her decorated birthday and wedding cakes. In the mid 1930’s, she operated a knitting shop on the mezzanine at the then Neel’s Department Store. She continued to knit over the years for herself and others. It was recently estimated that she had knitted and given away more than 1,000 Christmas stockings to family and friends. This is in addition to the countless afghans, bedspreads, and sweaters she knitted or crocheted. During her life she was a member of the First United Methodist Church; United Daughters of the Confederacy; Nocturne Garden Club; the Thomas County Historical Society and the Cultural Center. Age did not diminish her on going interest in politics, her beloved Atlanta Braves or whatever might be new in Thomasville. A keen mind to the end! As an avid bridge player, she met with one of several bridge clubs three to four times a week, usually accompanied by her daughter, Gwen (Mrs. Daniel L.) Kelly, who survives. Also surviving is a granddaughter, Adriane Wood (John) of Macon and several nieces and great great-grand nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends at the Kelly home. Guests are invited to sign the online register at www.allenfh.com