Uncrowned Community Builders

Phoebe (Lil) Parks was born in Raleigh, North Carolina to parents Professor Samuel and Tena Dunn. She attended Washington High School and St. Augustine College, where she met the Delaney's (of the Delaney Sister fame). Bishop Delaney confirmed her at St. Ambrose Episcopal Church in 1925, where she also sang in the choir.

Phoebe moved to New York City in 1930 after the death of her mother. She worked as manager of the cosmetic company of George W. Luft on Long Island. She won a week's performance at the Apollo Theater, and sang at the 101 Ranch, a nightclub in Harlem.

She moved to Buffalo in 1946 where she met and married the late James (Jerry) Parks. They raised six foster children. She is well known at the Colored Musician's Club. Lil is a member of St. Philip's Episcopal church where she was a member of St. Joseph's Guild, Sunday School teachers and Alter Guild. She worked as a supervisor of the meal program for seniors at Brent Manor for thirteen years after she had retired. She is a member of the William Emslie YMCA. She formerly sang with the "New Sensational Seniors" and still performs with a group, "Bits-o-B'way" at the Lancaster Opera House and various nursing homes and for private affairs, at the ripe age of 90.