Elaine Gholson-Parks of Bridgehampton Dies at 67

W. Elaine Gholson-Parks, a former member of the Bridgehampton School Board, died Thursday at Stony Brook University Medical Center. Born July 8, 1944 at , she was 67.

Gholson-Parks was a member of and a graduate of . She earned a degree in cosmetology from Gray's School of Cosmetology in Hempstead, and later returned to Bridgehampton to practice her trade.

"She was devoted to her family and her church, First Baptist, where she was an active member and sang on the choir," an obituary prepared by her family reads. "She was an excellent caregiver to her brothers and raised them to be respectful and responsible young men. She continued her mother's legacy of instilling the importance of education and how important it was to their future.

"She often put the care of others and their well-being and safety before thinking of herself. She was a beautiful and caring woman and will be missed by her family and friends and will always be remembered as a woman of strength, courage, love, peace — and most of all integrity and dignity."

Gholson-Parks was predeceased by her mother, Ida Beatrice Street-Gholson; her father, Berkley Andrew Gholson; her brother Berten Gholson; Patricia Laverne Gholson; and her son Kenneth Gholson. She is survived by five brothers, Terrie, Ronnie, Maurice, Eddie and James; aunts Queenie Street-Archie and Thelma Hobbs-Gholson; and sister-in-law Elaine (nee Mickey) Gholson.

A funeral was held Monday at First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton followed by interment at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.

Information provided by .