Jim Ella Parker, 89, passed peacefully from this life at her residence in Minden on Monday, May 25, 2015. A funeral service will be at 3 p.m., Saturday, May 30, 2015 at Rose-Neath Funeral Home Chapel in Minden with visitation immediately before at 2 p.m. Officiating will be her nephew, Don DeLukie. Burial will follow at Gardens of Memory in Minden.
Born July 12, 1925, in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, to Jim and Myrtie Thompson, she was the youngest of nine children. While still a young child, she moved with her family in 1930 to Minden. There she attended school, worked in her teen years as a drug store soda fountain attendant, and met the love of her life, Joe Parker.
Jimmie married Joe in 1945, began their family in Minden, then relocated with him to Shreveport in 1953 where they lived for over 55 years. A full-time mother and homemaker, she was also a faithful member of the Church of Christ with many friends at the Southern Avenue, Southern Hills and Sunset Acres congregations.
She treasured all living things, but pink roses and baby animals claimed a special place in her heart. One pastime she especially enjoyed was collecting toys and playthings in anticipation of her grandchildren’s visits. Above all else, she loved reading the Word of God. Prayer was an important part of her life and she regularly prayed for her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren by name.
Mrs. Parker was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Joe Wesley Parker; grandson Jarrod Parker; great grandson Elijah Toombs; brothers Cline, Cullon, and Corman Thompson; and sisters Reeta Basham, Rhoma Gray, Louise Smith, Janie Skinner and Edith DeLukie.
She is survived by daughter Linda Jordan and husband Lon of Mesquite, Texas; son David Parker and wife Ellen of Minden; grandchildren Amy Jordan Toombs and Jason of Largo, Florida, Angela Jordan Martinez and Mark of Forney, Texas, Rachael Parker Haddad and Nathan of Shreveport, Mark Jordan and Lacey of Watauga, Texas, and Slaid Parker of Shreveport, and nine great-grandchildren.
The family expresses special appreciation to caregivers Sue Penton and Lacy Green for their patient, compassionate and dependable assistance. They also thank the staff of Gamble Hospice, especially Lauren Taylor and Carolyn Roberson, for their gentle and thoughtful care.