Patricia Johnson Parkin

Patricia Johnson Parkin, 87, passed away on Tuesday, February 15, 2011. The second of four children born to Stuart Phelps Johnson and Marian Bradford Johnson, she was born in Otter Point, Maryland on September 2, 1923. Pat was considered to be the most highly sought after model in Washington, D.C. in the early 1940's. While there she met and married a dashing young Naval Officer, and thus began their 67 year long love affair. After raising five children, Pat decided to go back to work and became an Outreach Director for the YWCA. She managed community centers in some depressed neighborhoods in suburban Illinois and took great pride in her fight for the rights of less fortunate families. She stood up for single mothers and troubled children, often working late to ensure they had someplace to go. Pat was an avid golfer, a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and also enjoyed playing bridge, reading, traveling and spending time with friends. Preceded in death by her loving husband, Richard Parkin; daughter Salli Pike; granddaughter Courtney Pike; and her two brothers, Pat is survived by her daughter, Leslie Lipke (Jay) of Little Rock; three sons: Richard Parkin (Katherine) of Seattle, Washington; Thomas Parkin (Sue) of Des Plaines, Illinois; Donald Parkin (Stephanie) of Racine, Wisconsin; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and her sister, Priscilla Doolittle (John) of Pebble Beach, California. A gathering of family and friends will be held at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, (501) 224-8300 on Friday, March 4 at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society 1100 N. University, Little Rock, Arkansas 72207, or to the charity of your choice. Online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.