Betty Carolyn Parker

Betty Carolyn (“Cork”) Parker, age 80, of Mosheim, passed away from complications from Alzheimer’s disease on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at America House West in Knoxville and entered into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was retired from Tusculum College where she started out as a library volunteer in 1982, and became a Technical Services librarian for the college in 1984, eventually working there for 34 years before retiring. Carolyn was Baptist by faith and had been a past member of Shady Grove Freewill Baptist Church and had attended First Baptist Church in Greeneville. Carolyn was a big fan of the Greeneville Astros/Reds and regularly attended their games with her sisters Norma and Joyce, until health issues prevented each of them from attending. The three white haired sisters, as they were called, were featured in the Greeneville Sun for their support as season ticket holding fans.

Carolyn was never married, but she was a loving aunt and “second mom” to her nephews Denny and Darin Humbard. She loved to read and play the piano, liked listening to Classical music, and loved decorative butterflies and scenes of spring that she decorated her house with. She was very proud to be from Mosheim and Greene County. She also loved going to the lake with her sister Norma and dipping her legs and feet into the cool lake waters from the boat. She was very fond of all of her library co-workers and library assistants that became close to her during her years at Tusculum and appreciated them and their friendship more than they know.

Carolyn is survived by her sister, Joyce Johnson of Mosheim and one sister-in law, Charlsie Parker of Knoxville; her special nephews Denny (Audra) and Darin (Jennifer) Humbard, as well as several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

She was the daughter of the late W.O. Parker and Dora Poe Parker. Carolyn was preceded in death by her seven brothers: Ralph Parker, Carl Parker (her twin Brother), Gene Parker, Howard Parker, Sam Parker, Verlin Parker, and Charlie Parker, as well as three sisters, Florence Yates, Wanda Burger, and Norma Humbard.

In addition to her family and friends, we would like to send a special thank you to the staff of America House West and Amedisys Hospice of Knoxville for their care of Carolyn.

The family will receive friends Sunday, December 31 at 5-7pm at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow in the chapel of the funeral home.

The graveside service and interment will be held Monday, January 1 in Brown Springs Cemetery at 11am. Family and friends are asked to meet at 10am at the funeral home to go in procession to the cemetery.

Pallbearers are Denny Humbard, Darin Humbard, Roger Foshie, Austin Frye, Parker Johnson, and Wesley Meade.

Honorary pallbearer: Devon Humbard

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com.