John M. Parker

John Matthew Parker, son of the late Garland Alonzo and Mary Jane (Raybourn) Parker, was born on January 14, 1915 in Columbia, Mississippi and went to be with his Heavenly Father on February 6, 2007 at his son’s residence in Diggins, Missouri, following a short illness. He was 92 years, and 23 days of age.
The Parker family lived in several southern states including: Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. John was united in marriage to Jessie Mae Coffey of Sulphur Springs, Texas in December of 1931. Three children were born to this union, an infant son who died at birth, a daughter: Beatrice and a son: Robert.
John later married Hazel Kelly of Norwood, Missouri in August of 1958. Four children were born to this union: Brenda, John, Timothy and Michael. The family lived in several states including: California, Missouri, Idaho, and Mississippi. John and Hazel returned to the Mtn. Grove area in 1999.
He worked in construction for many years. He was a member of the Victory Worship Center in Cabool, Missouri. John was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, neighbor and friend. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.
Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings: Lorena “Lorraine”, who died in infancy, Lula, Charles Edward, Pauline, Loys Baresford, Rosa Mae, Arthur Delton, and Victor who died at birth.
He is survived by his loving wife: Hazel Parker of their home; daughter: Beatrice Robinett and her husband, Harold of Cameron Park, California, son: Bob Parker and his wife, Linda of Carrolton, Texas, daughter: Brenda Ward and her husband, Brian of Sandpoint, Idaho, son: John Parker and his wife, Benita of Diggins, Missouri, son: Timothy Parker of Mtn. Grove, Missouri, son: Michael Parker of Vancouver, Washington; two step-sons, Danny Smith and his wife, Diann of Vanzant, Missouri, and Morgan Smith of Mtn. Grove, Missouri; seventeen grandchildren: Cynthia (Robinett) Pringle, Shane Parker, Shelly (Parker) Kernal, Aimee (Ward) Klopman, Chrystal (Parker) Brusseau, Amanda (Ward) Rohde, Misty (Parker) Lara, Johnnie Danielle Parker, Lacy Parker, Kayla Parker, April (Ward) Scott, Alisa Ward, Justin Smith, Tabby (Smith) Hurt, Crystal Smith, Melissa Smith, and Rose Smith; twenty-two great-grandchildren; numerous nieces; nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Family and friends were invited to the McEldo building on First Street in Mtn. Grove following the services. A special thank you to the members of the Victory Worship Center in Cabool, Missouri.
Funeral services for John Parker were held Friday, February 9, 2:00 PM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel with Rev. Bill Kelly and Rev. John Kelley officiating. Bill and Rose Kelly, Chrystal Brusseau, Amanda Rohde, Kirby Kelly, Amy Taylor, and Jason Kelly served as singers. Song selections were “Meeting In The Air,” “I Can Only Imagine,” “Amazing Grace,” and “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” Pallbearers were Danny Smith, Justin Smith, James Hurt, John Kelley, Jerry Kelley, and Omar Lara. Honorary pallbearers were Harold Robinett, Brian Ward, Dempsey Parker, Donald Parker, Ruel Parker, and Joe Russell. Burial was in the Stubbs Cemetery under the direction of the Craig-Hurtt Funeral Home, Mtn. Grove, MO.