Shirley Ann Parker
Shirley Ann Parker was born August 27, 1938, in Converse, Louisiana, and passed away peacefully at home, surrounded with love by her family on August 15, 2020. Known by many names, “Honey,” “Mom,” “Grandma,” “ShooShoo,” “Gmaw,” “Gram,” “Grammy,” “GG-Maw,” “Sweet Shirley,” and “Mrs, Parker,” she wouldn’t correct you if you called her something else and would proudly take on her new name. She loved her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren so very much and could be seen supporting them at many of their events through the years.
Mom loved to collect teapots, thimbles, birdhouses, and crosses, but most of all, she collected friends. She loved to write cards, and if you were one of the lucky ones to have received a card from her, you know how special that was. She never forgot a birthday but would also send a card to her friends and family for special occasions or “just because.” She was the definition of the “Hallmark Queen.” She also never threw a card away that she received. Another hobby was to gather pictures of her family and adventures and organize them into scrapbooks to share with everyone. She adopted her friends like many people adopt pets. If you needed a shoulder to cry on, a hug to know you were loved, a couch or bed to sleep on between coaching jobs or during a bump in your marriage, just call Shirley. She was a 24 hour support system to all of us.
After mom nurtured, cared for, and enrolled her last child in kindergarten, she enrolled in college and for several years commuted to school. After graduating from Texas State, mom taught in Devine, Bellville, Pearland, Katy, Beaumont, and Lubbock. “Mrs. Parker” was a beloved teacher in every school. She was one of those teachers who could remember every one of her students through the years, and her students lovingly remembered their “Mrs. Parker.” She was the teacher that principals and her peers turned to when they needed support or someone to teach that “special” class. In LISD, many parents in Lubbock begged mom not to retire so their child could be in her classroom. Until her last day, mom was loved and contacted by her former students.
Mom loved being a coach’s wife and supporting Daddy during his over 40-year coaching career that saw multiple moves. She never complained and would take care of everything to assure that our family had the best experience possible. She loved cheering for all of Daddy’s teams, cooking for the players, mentoring coaches’ wives, and hosting coaching gettogethers. Her highlight as a coach’s wife was as a Red Raider fan supporting the coaching staff, wives, and players during Daddy’s tenure there. While “Sweet Shirley” rarely said a harsh word against someone, watch out if you yelled against the Red Raiders!
She met the love of her life, Doyle Parker, as a classmate in Andrews. Shortly after their marriage on June 14, 1956, Shirley and Doyle moved to Abilene for Doyle to continue his college career at Hardin Simmons University, start his coaching career, and begin their family. Mom loved to travel with Daddy, and they were able to enjoy many adventures after they both retired.
Shirley is survived by her beloved husband, Doyle, three children - Kim Parker-Guerrero (Mike), Rusty Parker (Emmanelle), and Donise Alvarez (Jose), eight grandchildren - Kelly Creech, Josh Creech (Emily), Cade Guerrero, Jake Guerrero, Vanessa Koran (Kris), Austin Alvarez (Brandon), Haleigh Thomas (Nate), and Brooks Parker. She especially loved her sweet great-grand babies - Adelaide, Willie, Parker, Henry, Gavin, and Kai. Shirley is also survived by her sister Bonnie Hitch (Donnell) from Andrews, Texas.
Our Shirley Ann will be deeply missed. Thank you for celebrating her life with us. #GunsUp
Family visitation was on Tuesday, August 18th, from 6-8 pm followed by a memorial ceremony on Wednesday, August 19th at 2 p.m. at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 6025 82nd Street in Lubbock was the site for both events. Attire for services is business casual and a mask. In honor of our mom, please wear her favorite colors, Red Raider red and black. We understand that COVID restrictions may prevent some from attending so please log onto Lake Ridge Chapel’s website at https://memorialdesigners.net/obituaries/ and you will see her obituary, directions to the live broadcast, and a section to leave comments.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Garrison Institute of Aging at Texas Tech for Alzheimer’s research to find a cure for this terrible disease or Chaves County CASA to benefit children in need.
