Ellen Parker

Ellen Parker, 90, passed away on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, in De Leon. She was born on March 28, 1933 to David Price Ridens and Sarah Leona Woods Ridens in Lamesa, Texas. After high school, Ellen moved to Gorman in 1948 then married the love of her life, Doyle Franklin Parker on May 19, 1951 in Gorman. She went on to raise a family with him and worked hard as a homemaker and housewife, tending to all the chores that comes with a farming way of life. Ellen lost her husband on July 3, 2006. Her and her family were faithful members of the Church of Christ.

Ellen leaves behind four daughters; Laquita McKillip of Gorman, Rebecca Parker of Neighbors Lake, Rosanna Shannon of Gorman, and Doylena Roberts of Gustine, grandchildren; Rusty Duke, Zachary Rice, Jennifer Rice, Keri Hughitt, Kristi Tekell, Kailee Martinez, and Dania Roberts, 20 great-grandchildren, and sisters; Lenora Burns of Seminole, Ann Green of Walsh, Illinois, and Nettie Dyke of Odessa.

Ellen is preceded in death by her husband, both of her parents, her brothers; Jack Ridens, and Sonny Carrol, her half-sister, Lola Wisdom, her grandson, Kevin Rice, and great-grandson, Waylon McKillip.

Ellen’s favorite passage from the Bible is the perfect way to remember her as she leaves us with these comforting words; John 14:1-7 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way? “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”