Dorothy “Dot” Elizabeth Parkhurst

Dorothy “Dot” Elizabeth Parkhurst passed peacefully at home on June 6, 2026 surrounded by her family.

Born on June 14, 1938, Dot grew up in Birmingham, Alabama. She loved playing in the park, spending time with her cousins, and cooking with her mom, Bertha Elizabeth Russell. In her later years, she lived a wonderful life in Alabama and Tennessee where she raised her family. Dot retired from a proud career at the University of Vanderbilt Registrar Office in 2010, where she served thousands that walked through Vanderbilt’s doors. After her retirement, she relocated to Fort Smith, Arkansas, where she cherished spending time with family and friends.

Dot was best known for her kindhearted nature and love for her family, especially her grandkids. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who asked. Dot loved to share the stories behind all of the pictures and trinkets she had collected that held a lifetime of wonderful memories with all of the people she loved the most.

Dot was preceded in death by her first husband, Asa Howard Sparks, her second husband, Calvin Eugene “Buddy” Parkhurst, and her son, Asa Dean Sparks (Teri). She is survived by her daughters, Lori Gibson (Michael) and Libbie Lide (Gary); her stepson, Brandon Parkhurst; and grandchildren, Sela, Aleska, Hannah, and Mykaela Sparks, Lyndsie and Emily Gibson, and Griffin and Graeme Lide.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dot’s honor may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.

In lieu of a public service, the family has chosen to hold a private event to honor Dot’s memory.