Virginia Lea Parker

1935 - 2021

After gracing this earth for 86 years, Virginia Lea Parker of Panorama Village, Texas slipped off peacefully in her sleep on Thursday, October 7, 2021, in Conroe, Texas. She was born on January 24, 1935, in Waldron, Arkansas to David Crockett Carpenter and Ina Warren Carpenter. Virginia was a graduate of Waldron High School, where she lettered in basketball, and attended Ouachita Baptist University on a scholarship and savings from working as a phone operator for Interstate Telephone Co. and Crutchfield & Owens drug store.

She is preceded in death by her parents and sisters Mazle Carpenter, Fern Cooksey, Carlean Smith, and Dora Ann Yarborough. Virginia met the love of her life, Charles Parker, at South Main Baptist Church after moving to Houston and Pasadena, Texas in 1957. They wed at the First Baptist Church of Waldron, Arkansas in 1959. Charles and Virginia were married for 62 years.

She was a faithful Christian. Over the years, the Parkers were active members of Queens Road Baptist Church, Golden Acres Baptist Church, Trinity Baptist Church, were founding members of Fairmont Central Baptist Church in Pasadena, and after retirement, Southside Baptist Church in Palestine, and Mims Baptist Church in Conroe. Virginia worked at a variety of jobs including at Overseas Motors, Brown and Root prior to starting her family, and, among others, as a bus driver for Pasadena ISD for short periods while when her kids were in school. She was active in the PTO, as a Cub Scout den mother, and with school activities. She was a chaperone on many of Steve's orchestra trips and Susan's number one tennis fan. She graciously made some ridiculous and memorable costumes for Susan's school productions. Her sense of humor was especially helpful when making them. She found her greatest peace when outside enjoying nature.

From an early age she learned the value of hard work, dedication, and how to be a servant leader. She gave of herself freely, particularly to those who had nothing to give in return. Quietly and gently, she stood up for what was right, influencing others and just outcomes. She never saw herself as a leader, just a servant doing what needed to be done. An accomplished artist with an impeccable eye for color and perspective, she won numerous awards for her paintings. She also did several fun projects including painting Peanuts cartoon characters on each of the Golden Acres Baptist Church buses that picked up children for services.

After retirement, the Parkers traveled visiting most of the country. Many of those trips started through projects with Texas Church Builders where they would spend a week providing labor and support to small churches around the country. Once those were done, they would use that location as a starting point on their next travel adventure. After reading extensively about the Lewis and Clark exploration, they followed their journey across the west.

The family would like to thank the loving and caring staff of Senior Choice who made her time with them happy and comfortable.

Virginia is survived by her loving husband Charles Parker of Panorama Village, brother David C. Carpenter of Little Rock, Arkansas, son Steven Parker of Houston, Texas, daughter Susan Parker Honn and husband Michael Honn of Pearland, Texas, and grandson Parker Lee Honn.

A service led by retired Pastor Wilburn Ansley will take place on Friday, October 22, 2021, at 10:00 am at the McNutt Funeral Home, 1703 Porter Rd. in Conroe, Texas. The family will travel with Virginia to Waldron, Arkansas where she will be buried in her family's plot in the historic Duncan Cemetery.