Lela Ruth Parker

Lela Ruth (Hooker) Parker, 88, of Cleveland, Tennessee, was born on January 2, 1928 and went home to heaven on July 3, 2016.  She was the daughter of John Alvin “Pop” Hooker, and Maude Malinda (Maples) Hooker.  As a young girl, music and church were very important to her, and inextricably linked to her faith.  At the age of 5, she sang her first solo at Big Springs Baptist Church, and was part of several different family singing groups, as well as a member of a group comprised of several friends. Her love of music was life-long, and she especially enjoyed playing the piano.  In addition to reading music with ease, her ability to play a song by ear after hearing it only once was amazing. 

Lela Ruth graduated from Bradley Central High school, where she especially enjoyed participating in the BCHS Marching Band.  She played clarinet, tenor saxophone, and the French horn.  On May 13, 1944, she married Aud H. Parker and they were married for 61 years when he passed away in 2005.  He was her best friend, and the love of her life.

She was a strong Christian and at Big Springs Baptist she was involved in music and children’s ministries.   At North Cleveland Church of God she was involved in the Crusader Choir, ladies ministries, the Ladies Prayer and Praise Group, and was a member of the Unity Sunday School Class.

She worked for more than 27 years at the American Uniform Company, and was an accomplished seamstress.  Thereafter, she worked 17 more years at Peyton’s Southeastern before retiring at age 72.  Lela Ruth loved her yorkies, hummingbirds, and wild song birds.  She also enjoyed gardening.  For several years after retiring, she enjoyed monthly get-togethers with several good friends from Peyton’s Southeastern. 

Lela Ruth deeply loved her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and treasured the time she had with them.  Visits from them were often highlights that she talked about for days afterwards. 

During the 1980’s and early 1990’s, she hosted several college-aged students from the Navajo Reservation and China, including Greta (Cody) Lemon, Su Rong Xie, Ji Ge (Si Mao) Cai, Kang Chen, and Wang Wen.  She loved each of them, and they loved her.  To each she was and remains, “Mom Parker.”

Lela Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, John Alvin and Maude Malinda Hooker; her husband, Aud. H. Parker; her sons James David and Daniel Millard Parker; her sisters, Margie (Hooker) Pullen and Wilma (Hooker) Blackburn; and her brothers Raymond A. Hooker and Millard E. Hooker. 

She is survived by her brothers, Virgil Hooker of Cleveland, and David Hooker of St. Petersburg, Florida; her children Ronnie Parker (and wife Mary), Dennis Parker (and wife Janis), Wilma Parker and Aulma Parker; five grandsons, Dee Parker (and wife Tonya), Greg Parker (and wife Jennifer), Chris Parker (and wife Cindy), Eric Parker (and wife Shay), and Mitchell Parker (and wife Stephanie); and four granddaughters, Greta Parker, Lynne (Parker) Cline (and husband Scott), Holly Parker, and Stephanie Parker.  She is also survived by eleven great-grandchildren, Caleb Parker, Abby Parker, Delaney Cline, Annalee Cline, Kaylee Parker, Kyndal Parker, Aubrey Lee, Audrey Parker, Andrew Parker, Christian Parker and Cole Parker.  She is also survived by her beloved sister-in-law, Alice Southerland, many special nieces and nephews, and her lifelong dear friends Sarah Powell and Joan Still. 

Lela Ruth was an outgoing and friendly person, and like her father, never met a stranger.  She felt blessed to live in Cleveland, Tennessee.  She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Now at home with her Heavenly Father and many of her loved ones, Lela Ruth is at peace.  No more death, crying, mourning, or pain.  We will miss her greatly, but eternity will reunite us.  We have that assurance.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, July 7, 2016 at Philippi Baptist Church with the Reverend Sam Hooker officiating.  Music will be provided by Jack Clark and Joe Washington.  Interment will follow in Mount Olive Cemetery with Dee Parker, Greg Parker, Chris Parker, Eric Parker, Mitchell Parker, and Scott Cline serving as pallbearers.  A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at the Ralph Buckner Funeral Home.  The family will also receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

We invite you to send a message of condolence and view the Parker family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.