Darlene Danine (Blanks) Blanks-Parks

Danine ("Darlene") Blanks-Parks was born on April 5, 1954, in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Marion Blanks and Elma (Brewer) Blanks. She was the fourth of six children: three sisters and two brothers. Darlene was raised in the Church as a child. She later attended the former Community Baptist Church, East Cleveland Ohio where she formally accepted Jesus the Christ as her personal Savior and Lord.

Darlene attended Wade Park Elementary School, Addison Junior High School, and East High School in Cleveland, Ohio. While attending East High School, she was a part of the Cooperative Office Education program which taught her valuable office and secretarial skills. After graduating East High School in 1972, she landed her first job as a secretary with what was then known as the Supplementary Educational Center. In 1974 she went on to work as an executive secretary at Ernst & Whinney Intl., today known as Ernst & Young. In 1979, she landed her dream job as an executive assistant with Booz Allen & Hamilton Inc., a prestigious management consulting firm. After 29 years of hard work and dedication, Darlene retired from Booz Allen & Hamilton in 2008.

On August 11, 1980, Darlene was joined in holy matrimony to the late Larry Parks. From that union, one beautiful daughter was born, Adrienne Parks-Lynard whom she loved and adored.

Darlene was characterized as an independent and strong-willed person who stood up for her beliefs. She was also very caring and helpful, and freely gave of her resources to those in need. She loved cooking and entertaining family and friends at her home. She was host to her family's Sunday dinners, holiday gatherings and cookouts with family and friends. In addition to cooking and entertaining, she loved dancing and shopping above anything else and would shop 'till she dropped.

Darlene transitioned to be with the Lord Jesus the Christ on Friday, May 10, 2024. She was preceded in death by her oldest brother Foy G. Blanks, and great nephew and niece, Alexander Blanks and Amia C. Martin. She leaves to celebrate her life and cherish her memory, her only daughter Adrienne Parks-Lynard; grandsons Jacques and Jaylan Lynard; three sisters: Adrian McClinton, Brenda L. Blanks and Gloria Jean Blanks; one brother, Marion Blanks (Che); one nephew, Brandon Blanks (Breanne); nieces: Angela McClinton, Marielle Blanks, Future Blanks, and Brittany Blanks; great nephew Brandon Blanks II, and great niece Josephine Blanks; great-great niece and nephew Abria and Dontis; her extended brothers and sisters; and a host of relatives and friends.