Etta Mae Parker

Etta Mae Parker, 86, a Homemaker & Bookkeeper, died Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at Magee General Hospital, Magee, MS. Funeral services are 2 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Magee, MS. Dr. Buddy Keyes will officiate. A eulogy will be given by her son, Gary Parker, III. Active pallbearers are Taylor Parker, Kirk Kees, Adam Lowman, Kees Lowman, Parker Ball and Ben Purvis. Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Magee, MS is handling the arrangements. Interment will follow at Magee City Cemetery with Rev. Rick Ball, son-in-law, presiding.

Mrs. Parker was born December 18, 1919, in Brookhaven , daughter of C.J. Kees, Sr and Minnie Mae Kees. She moved with her parents in 1923 to Magee where her father established State Guaranty Bank. She was a graduate of the Magee High School Class of 1937 and graduated from Belhaven College in 1941.

Etta Mae married G.O. Parker, Jr. of Magee on November 15, 1947. She was first employed with State Guaranty Bank, then with The Magee Courier, where her husband was owner and editor. She was later employed with Upton-Mims Mitchell Funeral Home. Etta Mae was an active member of the Magee First Baptist Church since 1929. During these years, she was a faithful teacher of preschoolers for 29 years, influencing numerous Magee citizens during their early Christian development

She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, Wylie V. Kees, C.J. Kees, Jr., and Robert Kees, all of Magee. Her survivors include: her husband of 59 years, G.O. Parker, Jr.; three children, Carol Moon of Magee, Gary O. Parker, III of Brandon, and Kathy Ball of Tupelo; seven grandchildren, Norman Purvis, Jr. of Franklin, Tenn., Gretta McNeal of Brandon, Heather Hall of Owensboro, Ky, Taylor Parker of Flowood; Neely Umphlett of Flowood, Lindsay Ball and Parker Ball of Tupelo; and nine great-grandchildren.