Marion Smith Parker

Marion “Bill” Smith Parker, 93, died Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010, after a well-lived life which began May 9, 1917, in Heidelberg Miss., where she spent most of her life. Bill was the third of four girls born to Dr. and Mrs. G.E. Eddy. She married Jewell G. Smith in 1940 and following his death later married Dr. William H. Parker, who also preceded her in death. Bill’s great love was Heidelberg — founded by her grandfather Washington Irving Heidelberg —where she was a pillar of the community, serving as alderman and one of the first female Mississippi municipal figures in the early 1950’s. She also loved her church, where she taught a young women’s Sunday school class for 40 years. Bill possessed an unwavering faith and was always passionate when singing old hymns. She loved her family, where her two sons and three stepsons all attained various doctorates in medicine, veterinarian medicine and accounting. In addition to her family and own career interests, she faithfully supported Jewell’s career as a member of the state legislature – both as a senator and representative – and as worthy grand patron of the Order of the Eastern Star. She also nurtured Bill Parker’s medical practice as the only physician in eastern Jasper County for more than 40 years. Bill’s other love was flowers, and she won numerous national awards, including Best of Show for cascading mums from the National Chrysanthemum Society, and later served as a judge for many of the society’s national competitions. Bill was a vital part of the Heidelberg chrysanthemum show community from the 1950s to the 1970s. The shows attracted a large national and regional following, and were frequently featured in Southern Living. Bill’s cascading mums creation once graced the cover of this distinguished magazine. She liked nothing more than fishing in her farm pond, sharing the secrets of landing the perfect catfish with just stink bait and a cane pole, and the virtues of peach ice cream and rolls made the right way with her children, grandchildren, family and friends. In the summertime, she was Heidelberg’s premier tour guide, shuttling kids between the cool springs of Lake Walkaway and Lake Bounds, with a trip through the blackberry patch and a bottle of Sun Drop thrown in for good measure. She enriched lives with fish fries, hoop cheese with red rind, jars of Pimento cheese and trips to Disney World. No visit was complete, however, without a stop by her vintage red Coke machine to sip pure magic from a frosty 6-ounce bottle. One of Bill’s finest qualities was her unshakeable acceptance of others, no matter what their beliefs, ideas and culture – and welcomed everyone she encountered with a refreshing warmth appreciation and hospitality, unconditional in her love and respect. She adored her three sisters —Thelma Burns, Winnie Daily and Lurline Slaughter — whom also preceded her in death. Bill is survived by two sons and three stepsons: Dr. J. George Smith and wife Mary Elizabeth of Jackson, Miss.; Dr. Robert Allen Smith and wife Jane of Jackson, Miss; Dr. William H. Parker and wife Judith of Brandon, Miss; Dr. Hugh J. Parker and his wife Cynthia of Ridgeland, Miss.; and Dr. Robert F. Parker and his wife Josie of Ann Arbor, Mich.; 13 grandchildren: Todd Smith and wife Grace of Nashville, Tenn.; Brad Smith and wife Laurie of Jackson, Miss.; Elizabeth Chapin and husband Nathaniel of Austin, Texas; Robert Allen Smith, Jr. and wife Geri Beth of Ridgeland, Miss.; Clayton Sutherland Smith and wife Amy of St. Louis, Missouri; Jane Hyde Sheally and husband Jerry of Memphis, Tenn.; Andrew Christian Smith and wife Betsy of Oxford, Miss.; Ellen Elizabeth Parker Hjorstvan and husband Erik of San Francisco, CA; William H. Parker, III, of Ridgeland, Miss.; Marion Margaret Parker of Ann Arbor Mich.; Morgan Clinton Parker and wife Carly of Ann Arbor Mich.; Mary Helen Able and husband Jay of Ridgeland, Miss.; JT Parker and wife Juliette of Shilo, Israel; 17 great grandchildren: Robert Allen Smith, III, Olivia Davis Smith, Peyton Alexander Smith, Mary Margaret Smith, Sutherland Ross Smith, Anna Prescott Smith, Collier Elizabeth Smith, George Zachary Smith, Mary Grace Smith, Alabel Witherspoon Chapin, Henry van Dyke Chapin, Gibson Witherspoon Smith, India Dawson Smith, Parker Hjorstvan, Tehila Parker, Benjamin Parker and Azariah Parker. A visitation will be held Friday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church in Heidelberg, Miss. followed by a graveside service at Heidelberg Cemetery. Rev. Bill Hayes will officiate. Pallbearers will be Robert Allen Smith, Jr., Clayton Sutherland Smith, Andrew Christian Smith, George Todd Smith, Bradley Witherspoon, and William Parker.

Marion Smith Parker

May 9, 1917 - October 19, 2010