Mildred Hollowell Parker

POLLOCKSVILLE | Mildred Hollowell Parker, 99, a woman of uncommon integrity, died Friday, April 24, 2015 at Brook Stone Living Center in Pollocksville, NC. She was born November 11, 1915.
She graduated from Grantham High School in 1931 and from E.C.C. in 1939 with an A.B. degree. Mildred was a primary school teacher for 31 years in 12 different schools in Eastern North Carolina.
Psalm 46:10 was the verse that prompted Mildred Hollowell at age 10 to give her heart to Jesus. For the rest of her life she felt the assurance of God's presence and always looked for how she could be a blessing to others even in difficult times. Her favorite book, second only to the Bible, was In His Steps by Charles Monroe Sheldon in which the characters asked themselves « What would Jesus Do (WWJD) » in every situation that they faced.
Mildred was the music director at six different Baptist churches. She was a pastor's wife par excellence to her husband, Rev. John Francis Parker whom she married on September 13, 1944.
For many years Mildred entered The Visual Arts Division of The Senior Games. She won five gold medals, three silver medals and three bronze medals in the Down East Senior Games. After moving to New Bern in 2005, she won two silver medals at the State Senior Games.
In July 2006, at 90 years old, Mildred was 'Artist of the Month' at New Bern-Craven County Public Library where her best art work since she started painting at age 62 was exhibited. She started in water color, then oil, and finally chose acrylics as her preferred medium until she became blind from glaucoma.
In addition to art and music, Mildred enjoyed fishing, doing the Charleston dance, sewing, gardening and especially cooking new recipes. On September 13, 2008, she received a standing ovation when, at 92 years old, she sang « Because » for the wedding of her daughter, Frances to John Barron.
From August 2005 - July 2012, she relished living at The Bishop Memorial Home in New Bern, NC. She also enjoyed many activities at Temple Baptist Church until she broke her arm on June 26, 2012. She entered Brook Stone Living Center in July 2012 where she remained for the rest of her life.
She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Frances and John Barron, David and Libby Parker, Gerald and Susan Parker, Donald and Gloria Parker, Eric and Frances Parker. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren: Amy (Jacob) Works, Martha (John) Kim, Jonathan (Wendy) Parker, Joshua Parker, Anne Marie (Mike) Benjamin, Jenny (Bryan) Darocha, Carol Hodge, Erica (Jason) Sanderson and Brad (Kristin) Parker; 16 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Sue Hollowell of New Bern, NC and Edna Hood of Grantham, NC. She will also be greatly missed by other family members and fellow church members from many different churches where she has served.
Preceded in death by her parents, Anna Mae and Charlie Lee Hollowell; her husband, Rev. John Parker, her siblings: Maud Black, Doris Gurley, Haywood Hollowell and Edwin Hollowell.
The family will receive friends Tuesday morning, April 28, 2015 from 10-11am at Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro, NC. A video memorial will begin at 10:20a.m. and then a Celebration of Life at 11a.m. officiated by Rev. Bob Rogers. The interment will be at Wayne Memorial Park in Goldsboro, NC.
Memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, 1500 Kingdom Way, New Bern, NC 28562 or to Rich Square Baptist Church, PO Box 589, Rich Square, NC 27869.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.