Mary Elizabeth Parker

Mary Elizabeth Parker, age 105, of Knoxville, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 14, 2022. “Mary Elizabeth was born prematurely at home during a major flood in Chattanooga, Tennessee on February 27, 1917. Her determination to live foretold her purposeful and eventful life. She grew up in an active household, the youngest of four children and met her life’s love while in high school. She was introduced to Paul Esten Parker through friends and promptly got his attention by stealing his hat! When he came to her house to retrieve it, he found her waiting, and the rest is history. They married during the great depression on April 11, 1935, and lived in Chattanooga before moving to Baltimore MD, where Paul worked to build ships to support the war effort. After the war, Mary Elizabeth and Paul returned to Chattanooga with their two daughters, Janice Elizabeth and Javonne Esten, and lived there until 1947 when Paul was offered a position as an attorney with the Jennings, O’Neill and Jarvis Law Firm in Knoxville, TN. Mary Elizabeth enjoyed entertaining and was soon involved as a leader in several social organizations. She served chairman of the Knoxville Women’s Club and the Ossoli Circle Junior Department, President of the Knoxville Bar Association Auxiliary, and twice served as president of the Sequoyah Garden Club. She was a member of Concord United Methodist Church. She also enjoyed playing bridge and traveling. Mary Elizabeth and Paul traveled the world. She especially enjoyed travelling with their Airstream camping friends.” (The above biography sketch was based upon an interview with Mary Elizabeth conducted by her daughter Janice E. Kennedy at Echo Ridge Retirement Community in mid-January 2017, just prior to the 100th birthday celebration.) In addition to her parents, Mary Elizabeth is preceded in death by her beloved husband Paul E. Parker and her granddaughter Kristy Campbell. She is survived by her daughters, Javonne Hall (Bill), and Janice Kennedy (Lewis); grandchildren: Donna Kennedy, Edwin Kennedy, Lisa McKee (Mike), David Hall (Ann), and grandson-in-law, Jerry Campbell; great-grandchildren: Kristen Fairchild (Drew), Douglas Hall (Leslie), Micah McKee and Michael Gibson; great-great-grandchildren: Hadley and Lila Hall; nieces and nephews: Anita Irvin, Hugh Irvin (Peggy), Carol Keith (Wayne), Teresa Holloway, Doug Hassler and Judy Hassler. The family would like to express sincere appreciation to the staff of Echo Ridge Retirement Community, and Morning Pointe of Lenoir City for the love, care and support given to Mary Elizabeth during the years in which she made her home there. Funeral Service will be held 3:00 p.m., Sunday, July 17, 2022, Rose Funeral and Cremation, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919. The Rev. Teresa Holloway is officiating. The Family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m., preceding the service. Interment will take place 11:00 a.m., Monday, July 18, 2022, Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, 5703 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN, 37919. On-line condolences may be extended at www.rosefuneraltn.com Arrangements by Rose Funeral and Cremation-Mann.

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Mary Elizabeth Parker

February 27, 1917 - July 14, 2022