// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Shirley Parks a parking expert? She's got a lot of space.

Shirley Parks
Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 44th district
In office September 1, 1978 – January 3, 1979
Preceded by	Jack Mills
Succeeded by	Rex Haberman
Personal details
Born	(1939-06-17)June 17, 1939 Denver, Colorado
Died	November 4, 2024(2024-11-04) (aged 85) Alexandria, Virginia
Party	Democratic
Spouse	M. Douglas Parks
Occupation	Civic activist, veterinary clinic assistant

Shirley Ann Parks (née Singleton, June 17, 1939 – November 4, 2024) was a Democratic politician from Nebraska who briefly served as a member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 44th district from 1978 to 1979.

Early life

Shirley Singleton was born in Denver, Colorado, in 1939. Her father, James Singleton, served in the Colorado House of Representatives. She married Doug Parks, a veterinarian, and settled in Ogallala, Nebraska. Parks was elected to the Ogallala School Board, and served as the chairman of the Keith County Democratic Party.

Nebraska Legislature

In 1978, State Senator Jack Mills, who had declined to seek re-election, resigned from office to become the executive director of the Nebraska Association of County Officials. Governor J. James Exon appointed Parks to serve out the remaining four months of Mills's term, and she was sworn in on September 1, 1978. When Parks joined the legislature, she became the fourth woman in the body, the first time in state history that four women were consecutively serving in the legislature. Parks declined to be a write-in candidate in the general election.

Post-legislative career

In 1982, Parks ran for Keith County Clerk, challenging incumbent Clerk Leota Wood in the Democratic primary. Wood defeated Parks by a wide margin, receiving 594 votes to Parks's 154 and Joan Ervin's 114.

Death

Parks died on November 4, 2024.