Helen Parke’s contribution was read into the U.S. Congressional Record.
Photos Courtesy of Jose Hoyos
Helen Hayes was born July 7, 1925, in St. Louis, MO. During WWII, she worked at a five-and-dime store. She met a soldier named Roy Parke at the store, and in 1943, they got married. Helen lived with Roy’s parents on their farm in Pennsylvania until Roy returned to the states after the war ended. They moved to Plant City in 1957 and started Parkesdale Farms on 10 acres of land on Tanner Road. Since then, Parkesdale has grown to over 300 acres, a packing house and cooling facility on Tanner, and Parkesdale Market on U.S. 92. The farm grows strawberries, blackberries, vegetables, and runs a few head of cattle…