Raye Parker

Raye Payne Parker, 78, of Mabelvale, Arkansas was born to the late Merrill Dean Payne and Audna Irene (Dumas) Payne on Saturday, July 26th, 1947, in Emerson, Arkansas. She left this world a very loved woman on Thursday, October 23rd, 2025, surrounded by love safely in her home.

She was a graduate of Emerson High School in Emerson and Southern State College in Magnolia, now known as Southern Arkansas University (SAU). She later earned a master's degree in math from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.

At heart Raye was a teacher. She taught high school and junior high math for 17 years, plus programming languages such as COBOL, before moving to adult education. After retirement she continued to be a teacher, tutoring others and even teaching some classes at the community college.

Raye was also active in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in the Sardis community of Bauxite, including working on church directories, member databases, and weekly orders of service. In addition, she assisted her husband Ken in his role as church treasurer for more than a decade.

Her greatest joy, however, was her family. She remained close to her four siblings, especially her twin sister. Most important to her, however, were her husband, daughter, and grandsons, whom she "loved to pieces." She also cherished her dogs over the years and considered her chihuahua Max an indispensable member of the family.

Raye was preceded in death by her parents, Merrill Dean Payne and Audna Irene (Dumas) Payne of Emerson; sister, Audrey of Smackover; sister-in-law, Margie Payne of Taylor, Arkansas; and son-in-law, Geoffrey Wainscott of Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Ken Parker of Mabelvale; daughter, Laura Wainscott of Fayetteville; grandsons, Tyler Wainscott and Shawn Wainscott of Fayetteville; sister, Kaye and her husband, Jimmy Bates of Mountain Home; brother, Harold Payne of Taylor; brother, Charles and his wife, Edna Payne of Magnolia; and many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers include Tyler Wainscott, Shawn Wainscott, Gene Brenton, Greg Jackson, Steve Barnes, and Steve Overstreet.

Raye's celebration of life will be held on Friday, October 31st, 2025, at 10:30 A.M., with her visitation the evening prior from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Dial and Dudley Funeral Home in Bryant.

She will be laid to rest at Pinecrest Memorial Park in Alexander following her service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Building Fund at 24310 N Sardis Rd, Bauxite, AR 72011.

Dial and Dudley Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Raye and her family!