Obituaries:  Mary Elizabeth Parker, Sabine Parish       P-626
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Feb 16, 2000
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net 




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Mary Elizabeth Parker

  Mary Elizabeth "Beth" Parker, 68, of Hemphill died at 11:35 p.m.
Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2000, at her residence after a courageous battle
with cancer.

  Beth was born Nov. 3, 1931 in Sabine County, the only child of the
late Hilery Windham Smith and Pauline (Coats) Smith. She was descended
from several pioneer families of Sabine County, including William
Smith and his wife, Nancy Huse; and Levi McDaniel and his wife,
Harriet Mozelle Winctham. Another ancestor, the Rev. Enoch S. Phelps,
helped organize the First Baptist Church in Hemphill where she was an
active member.

  Beth attended school in Hemphill, where she graduated as Salutatorian
in 1948. She married John Robert Parker 51 years ago on Sept. 3, 1948
at the First Baptist Church in Hemphill. They lived in Orange, Texas
until right after Paula was born in 1949. They then moved to Many,
where John worked for the Sabine Index newspaper and Beth worked at
Fort Polk, in Leesville. She attended Northwestern in Natchitoches
while they lived in Many. Kay was also born while they lived there.
Beth was active at the First Baptist Church where she taught children's
Sunday School and GA's.

  The Parkers moved to Trinity, Texas in 1961 and were owners and
publishers of the Trinity Standard newspaper. They were members of the
Dorcas Wills Memorial Baptist Church.

  In 1967, with the coming of Toledo Bend, Beth and John found the
opportunity to return to their childhood home and changed careers by
opening a Johnson Outboard dealership in conjunction with her father,
Hilery Smith known as Hilery's Auto & Marine. Initially upon returning
to Sabine County, Beth worked at the Sabine County Tax Office where she
quickly became reacquainted with many friends and a few years later
joined John in their new business.

  A career change came again in 1359 for Beth when she retired to go
with John while he worked all over the U.S. in the pipeline industry.
Finally, in 1995, John also retired and they came home to stay.

  Beth was a member of the Partners-in-Christ Sunday School Class at
First Baptist Church. She and John organized the JOY (Just Older Youth)
Club for widows and widowers at FBC. They organized trips, activities,
and banquets for these senior adults. Beth was a member of the Gideons
International Auxiliary, a charter member of the James Frederick Gomer
chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Order of the Eastern
Star, and Grandmothers Club.

  Survivors include her husband, John Robert Parker; daughters, Paula
Lynn Johnson and husband, Kenny of Huntsville, Texas; Kay McCary, and
husband Mackie of Milam, Texas; three grandchildren, Kimberly Davis
and husband, Michael of Conroe, Texas, Kaycie Leal and husband Mark
of College Station, Maxie L. McCary of College Station, and five great
grandchildren, Tamra Davis, Tracy Davis and Trenda Davis of Conroe,
Stephanie Sullivan of Cleveland and Alyssa Leal College Station. She
was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Carol Sullivan.

  Funeral services were held Feb. 11 at First Baptist Church, Hemphill,
with Pastor Fred Raney officiating. Basil Coats offered a poem and Bill
Vrooman gave the eulogy. Kaycie McCary Leal sang "Amazing Grace" and
"Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "It is Well With My Soul" was sung
by Jim Nethery, Bob Russell, Greg Cohrs and Larry Potts. Interment
followed at Hemphill City Cemetery.

  Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church or the
Gideons International.

  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and
friend. She will be sorely missed by all.