Services Friday, April 7, 2023 10:30 St. John Baptist Church Javoski Erwin, Pastor Rev. Emmanuel Holoman, Eulogy

Burial Ft. Sill National Cemetery

Bessie Mae Hawkins Parker was born March 24, 1935 in Hughes Spring, Texas to the union of Curtis and Clearlis Hawkins. Her earthly journey ended March 28, 2023. She attended Traylor Elementary and graduated from Traylor High School. As a high school student she became an avid vocalist. Bessie Mae competed and won first place as an accapella vocalist at the state competition held at Prairie View A&M University. High school competition was only the beginning of her renowned career. She also directed the court while playing basketball as the point guard in high school, assisting the team in several victories.

Bessie attended nursing school in Mt. Pleasant, Texas and graduated in 1959. After graduating from nursing school, she moved to Dallas where she started her nursing career at Methodist Hospital. She later moved to Paducah, Texas becoming a school teacher and obtaining a nursing job. After several years in Paducah the family moved to Wichita Falls. Bessie continued her nursing career as an employee at the Wichita Falls State Hospital and Shepard Air Force Base. Her patients eagerly embraced her attentiveness and care of them with open arms; always happy to see her. She provided 35 years of nursing service, retiring on March 24, 1995 from Shepard Air Force Base.

Upon arriving in Wichita Falls, Bessie did not hesitate to unite with a church; her upbringing and foundation were rooted in the Lord. She served as a choir director at Shiloh Baptist Church, later joining Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church and singing in the choir while there. She later met and married John Parker, March 21, 1985. She then moved her church membership to St. John Baptist Church, where she and her late husband worshiped and devoted their services. She served as a choir member and active participant of Sunday School, and worship services.

Bessie Mae, the cherished name the family often heard her loving parents render, embodied a caring, energetic and welcoming spirit. She never met a stranger and was a friend to all who knew her.

Bessie gave birth to a son Darrell, in June of 1953, and Beverly, in June of 1954. The two of them were the light of her life. She reared her children in the church, instilling the Bible and the love of God in each of them; exemplifying the statement “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!”. She loved her family and look forward to visits from any and all of them. Bessie was a beautiful person with a heart of love, she wore many hats (literally and figuratively). She lived life to the fullest as a strong matriarch of the family. She was the family queen.

Bessie was proceeded in death by her husband John Parker, her parents Curtis and Clearlis Hawkins, and daughter (in love) Terry Jean Jackson.

Bessie’s homegoing celebration is shared with 12 children, 33 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, family and friends near and far. Left to cherish her memories and celebrate her homegoing are her two children, son-Darrell (Wanda), and daughter-Beverly Jackson; grandchildren Darrell Jackson Jr (Charissa), Earnest Jackson Jr, Dr. Masheika Jackson, and Darren Jackson. She always felt it a special blessing to have shared in the love, care and mothering of her daughters; Voncil Cobb, Deborah Johnson, Alesha Ford, and son, Gary Jackson. Later in life she was able to extend that same mothering care to her last set of children in love- Dr. Joanne McNeal, Master Sargent Lt. Anthony Parker, Lonnie, Jerome, and Cheryl Parker.

To our Queen, the family knows our Heavenly Father has welcomed you into His kingdom. We will miss you and cherish the years we spent with you.

Love Always in All Ways, The Ones Left Behind!

To our Queen, the family knows our Heavenly Father has welcomed you into His kingdom. We will miss you and cherish the years we spent with you.

Love Always in All Ways, The Ones Left Behind!