Mary Ellen Parker

Mary Ellen Mar Parker, age 92, died October 25, 2026, at Lily Springs Nursing and Rehab in Lampasas.  She was born on May 1, 1934, in Marietta, Oklahoma and raised primarily in Nashville.

Mary's large Mar/Arney family consisted of her mother, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandfather.  She worked alongside the adults in the cotton fields, pecan bottoms, orchards and other agricultural areas from Arkansas to Michigan on a seasonal basis.  It was hard, tedious work and she was unable to attend school on a regular basis.  She had few of the luxuries many children are privileged to have but she was loved dearly by her extended family.

Mary married Elton Parker in Ashdown, Arkansas on May 1, 1952.  When they met, Elton had completed service as an infantryman in the U.S. Army after serving his country in France and England in WWII.  Elton landed at Utah Beach in Normandy, France a few days after D-Day.  He rarely spoke of his wartime experience, but his health was affected for the rest of his life by his wartime duty.  Mary was the constant encourager and caretaker through Elton's many years of living with cancer and other debilitating health problems until his death February 12, 1992.

Elton was born and raised in the Nix community near Lampasas.  He soon brought his bride to Lampasas where they lived the remainder of their lives.  Their only child, Denise, was born and raised in Lampasas.  Mary and Elton worked hard and were determined that Denise had all she needed and wanted, especially a college education.

Mary was a diligent worker, kind to a fault and always willing to do whatever she could to help others.  She worked for many families as a housekeeper, cleaned several businesses, cared for sick neighbors and friends, did yard work, took in ironing and generously shared her wonderfully cooked meals, especially sharing her homemade bread.

Mary was a strong, independent widow after Elton's death.  She continued her busy work schedule until a series of strokes started her long and difficult vascular dementia/Alzheimer's Disease journey which lasted 15+ years. 

She was selfless, loving and always available to help someone.  She was a sweet, attentive mother and an especially doting grandmother.  She will be greatly missed by her family.  We are sad she has left us but so grateful that her long and painful health journey is done.

Mary and Elton were of the Baptist faith having made their professions of faith together early in their marriage.  We are assured that we will see them again in heaven.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Denise Parker Lyons and her husband Morgan Lyons of Arlington, Texas.  She is also survived by her only grandchild, Nathan Parker Lyons and his wife Rebekah Lyons of Richardson, Texas, as well as her great-grandchildren, Elodie Pearl Lyons, Odin West Lyons, and Birdie Eleanor Lyons from Richardson, Texas.  Mary is also survived by nieces and nephews.

Mary and Elton considered Jeff and Diane Kepler of Lampasas as their "other" children and loved them dearly.  No words can adequately thank Jeff and Diane for their love and tender care and help given to both Mary and Elton.

Mary's family also wishes to thank Stephanie Fahey and her family for the devoted medical care and friendship given to Mary for many years in her home and in her nursing home settings.  Stepanie was indeed our "angel nurse."

Thanks are also extended to the staff at Lily Springs Nursing and Rehab in Lampasas with special thanks given to the nurses/staff in the Lily Pad Unit.  Their compassionate care helped Mary through her most difficult days.

The staff at New Century Hospice deserves a multitude of thanks for their many months of kindness, understanding and tender care.  They extended guidance to Denise and Morgan during the darkest days and gave Mary the help and compassion she needed and so deserved.  There are too many of you to mention by name but you know who you are!

Services will be private and Mary will be buried next to her beloved Elton at Oak Hill Cemetery in Lampasas.

The family kindly asks that if memorials are desired, they can be given to New Century Hospice, 451 E. Central Texas Expressway, Suite C, Harker Heights, TX 76548, 254-680-5500.

Memorial funds will be used by the New Century Hospice foundation to assist families in their time of need with final wishes, travel expenses, funeral expenses, etc.