Carolyn Parker

Published 12:00 am Sunday, March 14, 2010

NATCHEZ — Services for Carolyn Isabelle Thompson Parker, 96, of Natchez, who died March 11, 2010, at her residence, will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Jefferson Street Methodist Church with the Rev. Edwin M. Temple officiating.

Burial will follow at Natchez City Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Mrs. Parker was born March 27, 1913, in Bay Springs, the daughter of Zachary Henderson Thompson and Lottie Bell Brown Thompson. She married William Hunter Parker and moved from Jackson to Natchez in 1932.

She was a member of Jefferson Street Methodist Church for more than 75 years. During these years, she served as a Sunday school teacher, choir member, member of the board of directors and a member of the Women’s Society of Christian Service, serving as president of the Vicksburg District for four years.

She was a charter member of the Natchez Junior Auxiliary, a charter member of the Musical Arts League and a volunteer with the Natchez Regional Medical Center Pink Ladies, the Natchez Stewpot and the Natchez Associated Charities.

Mrs. Parker was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, caring friend and spiritual leader. She lived all of her life as a devout Christian, showing love, charity and humility through her actions and praise of God.

Mrs. Parker was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, William Hunter Parker, four brothers, Herman, Clyde, Leddrew and Zachary Thompson and one sister, Louise Puckett.

Survivors include one sister, Norine Thames of Jackson; one daughter, Carolyn Parker Yelverton of Natchez; two sons, William Hunter Parker Jr. and wife June of Santa Fe., N.M., and Jack Shannon Parker and wife Connie of Centralia, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Parker Yelverton of Sunset, La., Constance Mariano of Riverside, Calif., Jennifer Peine of Martinsville, Ind., Chad Parker of Lafayette, La., Shannon Parker of Memphis, Tenn., Crosby Parker of Gulfport, Jessica Barnes of Greenwood and Michael Parker of Soddy-Daisy, Tenn.; 10 great-grandchildren, Hunter Mariano, Ashley Isabelle Yelverton, Clare and Aric Peine, Parker Frances, Bennett and Langley Louise Barnes, Crosby and Cannon Parker and Taylor Parker and numerous special nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Parker Yelverton, Chad Parker, Shannon Parker, Crosby Parker, Clif Barnes and Michael Parker.

The family wishes to thank Ann Cobb of Hospice Compassus and Amanda Thibodeaux and Ivy Irving for the loving care provided to Isabelle during her illness.

Memorials may be made to Jefferson Street Methodist Church building fund.

Online condolences can be made at www.lairdfh.com.