Mary Lou Parker

Mary Lou Parker, 101, died April 7, 2012 at her home in Texarkana, Ark. Mary Lou was born Sept. 9, 1910 in Camden, Ark. She was the elder daughter of the late W.R. (Will) and Lula Sharp Parker. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Camden, Ark. She started her education in the Cleveland Avenue School and graduated from the Camden High School. She attended Galloway College, Searcy, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hendrix College, Conway. Her Master of Arts degree with a major in art, was secured from George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville, Tenn. She has done work above the Masters level at Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., John Heron Art School, Indianapolis, Ind., and the famous craft school, Arrowmont, Gatlingburg, TN., which is a branch of the University of Tennessee. Miss Parker's first teaching job was at the Cleveland Avenue School and then was transferred to the Camden High School to teach Social Studies. During World War II, she served with the American Red Cross as a Recreation Aide in hospital service. She was stationed at the William Beaumont General Hospital, El Paso, Texas, and at the Mayo General Hospital, Galesburg, III. She returned to Camden and to her job of teaching Social Studies in Camden High School. She began directing the class plays and when it was decided to add art and dramatics to the curriculum, she taught those subjects. She was offered the position of Assistant Professor of Art and Dramatics at Union College, Barbourbille, Ky. Where she taught for two years. She returned to her former position with the Camden High School where she remained until her promotion to Art Supervisor which she held position until the time of her retirement. (1973, May 2). Camden Arkansas News. Survivors include her sister, Anna Parker Hawkins of Texarkana, Ark.; one niece, Lynda A Williams of Texarkana, Ark.; one nephew, William R (Bill) Hawkins and wife Carol of Camden, Ark. A number of special friends and other relatives and all of her former students, one great niece, Cyndy W. Rider and her husband, Thomas L Rider. Graveside services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Proctor Funeral Home. Visitation will be Monday, April 9, 2012, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Proctor Funeral Home, Camden, Ark. A memorial fund has been set up at First United Methodist Church, Camden, Ark., and Hospice of Texarkana, 803 Spruce, Texarkana, Texas. To sign the online guest register visit www.proctorfuneralhome.com.