Mary Frances Parker

Mary Frances Parker (92) died 10/16/24 in Houston. She was born in El Dorado. Arkansas on 2/18/1932 to Naomi and Edgar Wren. Mary and her husband Kelley were married in 1955 and raised five children.

She is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, husband, two sons, Bobby and Kelley Jr., one daughter, Kathleen, two grandsons, Dustin and Steven, and one granddaughter, Larryn.

Mary is survived by her sister Betty Sheahan and brother-in-law Mike, son Bill Parker and daughter-in-law Sharyl, daughter Erin Traxler, grandchildren, Kathleen, Sarah, Kayleigh, Mary Katherine, Kenneth, and Jacob, many great-great grandchildren, and countless loving friends.

Mary started her career in the hospitality industry as a hostess at the renowned Shamrock Hotel where she earned the respect and friendship of many performers headlining there. As her family grew she volunteered countless hours as a baseball mom, a dance mom, and chauffeur. Later she joined the Astros staff as in event services until her retirement.

While still working she became an activist for people whose lives had been touched by HIV/AIDS. As a facilitator for the Bering Spiritual Support Network she faithfully helped families reconcile and made countless hospital visits, holding the hands of people dying in the AIDs epidemic. On her birthday in 2017 the City of Houston honored her for 30 years as a “role model” to the Houston community.

As a member Bering Memorial UCC Mary started a yearly rummage sale that has now become a full scale resale shop called Second Blessings, with the proceeds going to Bering’s many outreach ministries. In 2023 the church honored her accomplishments by opening the Second Blessings resale shop in the newly renovated Mary Parker wing.

Mary leaves behind a long legacy of love and acceptance and she will be missed by friends and family far and wide.

A Celebration of Life will be held on October 27, at 3:00 pm at Bering Memorial UCC. 1440 Harold, Houston, Tx 77006.