Sarah Porter Parker

Ms. Parker was born on June 19, 1938 in Memphis, Tennessee to the late Reed Byron Porter and Lillie Mae Holloway Porter. She was an elementary school teacher in the Jackson Madison County school system for 31 years. She was a reading specialist and teaching children how to read was her passion. It brought her great joy to see one of her former students out in the community. She also used her gift of music to play the piano for her church, several Bible study groups and nursing homes. Her infamous "Cousin Camps" were the foundation of teaching her grandchildren about Jesus. She deeply loved her family, friends and neighbors, but most of all, she loved and served Jesus Christ her entire life.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Adam Reed Parker.

She is survived by her children, Bridget Parker Newman (Mark), Nancy Elisabeth Parker and William Reed Parker (Andrea); her grandchildren Steven Newman (Kenzie), Alison Newman Gauntlett (Hunter), Kathryn Newman DeLaughter (Ken), Andrew Newman, Matthew Newman, Meg Parker Georgiou (Billy), Will Parker, and two great grandchildren, Felicity Newman and Porter DeLaughter. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy Porter Spencer (Johnny), special nieces Suzanne VanDyke and Gayle Spencer and her honorary grandson Spencer VanDyke.

She will be buried in a private graveside service at Oak Hill Cemetery near Pontotoc, MS.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to: The Hope Center 1981 Hollywood Dr. Jackson, TN 38301, www.hopecenterjackson.com

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.GeorgeASmithandSons.com for the Parker family.