08/28/2007
Marlene Dorothy (Lowe) Parker was born on August 23, 1932 in rural Marion County, Iowa.
She was the daughter of Joy Juanita Brooks and Harry Nelson Lowe.
Marlene grew up
in the Knoxville area and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1950. On December
24, 1951 Marlene was united in marriage to Howard “Boostie” Smith. To this union
three children were born.
After Boostie’s death, Marlene met and married Forrest
Fred Parker on June 9, 1971. Marlene worked as a cook in the Dietetics Department
at the VA Medical Center in Knoxville for 25 years.
Marlene was a long time member
of the First Assembly of God Church in Knoxville. She was a Sunday school teacher,
Sunday school superintendent and involved in many other aspects of the church. Marlene
was very active in crafts with the church and with her grandkids. Marlene was a
very devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Dorothy Marlene Parker
passed away peacefully at home on August 28, 2007 with family and friends beside
her.
Those left to mourn her passing are her husband of 36 years, Fred Parker of
Knoxville; three children, Howard Smith and his wife, Debbie of Springfield, MO,
Forrest James Parker and his wife, Amy of Jamaica Beach, TX and Sharon (Smith) Merin
of Phoenix, AZ; son-in-law, Danny McCoy of Harvey; 11 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren;
one sister, Janie Barnard and her husband, Ron of Pontiac, IL and one brother, Corwin
Lowe and his wife, Dorothy of Appleton, WI.
Funeral services were held on Friday, August 31, 2007 at the First Assembly of God Church in Knoxville with Pastor David
Vanderpool officiating. Interment was in Graceland Cemetery. Musical selections
were “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” by Sarah Smith and “Wedding Celebration” by Pastor
David Vanderpool.
Casket bearers were Rick James, Ron Jansen, David Jordan, Jason Jordan, Tom Parker and Richard Thomas. Honorary casket bearers were Gary Carlson,
Jim Jansen, Danny McCoy, Patrick McCoy and Benjamin Smith.
Memorials in memory of
Mrs. Parker may be given to the First Assembly of God Church in Knoxville. Condolence
messages may be sent to the family at www.williamsfhknoxville.com. Williams Funeral
Home handled the arrangements.