Nancy B. Parker

Nancy Brooks Parker "Grannie", age 96, passed away Monday, October 12, 2015 at Bethany Healthcare Center. Nancy was born on September 20, 1919, in Owensboro, Kentucky to George and Burnette Brooks. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, James D. Brooks; sister, Ruth Brooks Ward; husband, Lester Parker; and daughter, Rebecca Parker Wilson.

She is survived by her son, Herschell Parker; son-in-law, Joe Wilson ( wife, Sandra); grandchildren, Tanya (husband, Chuck) Eidson; Josh (wife, Candy) Wilson; great-grandchildren: Zachary Malone, Rebecca and Sarah Tinnin, AnaBelle, Chuck Jr., and Clay Eidson, Abigail (husband, Chris) Thomas, Carleigh and Jocelyn Wilson; and great-great granddaughter, Violet Thomas.

Nancy lived a very active and full life. She was dedicated to her family, friends, neighbors, church, and community. Many people may remember being greeted by her smiling face at the local Inglewood BiRite, where she was employed as a cashier for many years. She had a heart for volunteering and helping others. Her love language was truly acts of service: rocking premature babies at Vanderbilt Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, volunteering at Edgefield Hospital in Nashville, sponsoring children from Tennessee Preparatory School, and knitting baby caps and booties for infants in local hospital nurseries. She enjoyed knitting and doing all different kinds of hand work. She was a member of Eastland Baptist Church until the mid 90's when she joined Inglewood Baptist Church. There, she was active in the Burrus House meals-on- wheels program, attended church and Sunday School, worked in the church’s kitchen cooking Wednesday night supper for many years, and worked in the church daycare. She was a loving babysitter for many children over the years, a faithful visitor to many nursing homes, and helped the disabled and elderly by delivering their groceries to their homes. She enjoyed being outdoors and loved walking. She was an animal lover and took care of many pets over the years. She is survived by her most recent pets: her German Shepherds, Roxy Rue hound and Gunner Bunner and her cockatiel TJ II. She enjoyed reading and was a regular at her local public library. She took up piano lessons in her 80's; enjoyed her yard and gardens; loved watching the birds, especially hummingbirds and bluebirds. She was a wonderful cook, who loved to bake and share the meals she fixed with family, friends, and neighbors.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, October 20th, at 10:00 am, in the chapel of Eastland Funeral Home with Brother Bill Jones officiating. Burial will follow in Spring Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary pallbearer, great-grandson, Airman First Class Zachary Malone, serving active duty for U.S. Air Force in Qatar.

Family and friends are invited to remember Mrs. Parker at a visitation on Monday, October 19th from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Eastland Funeral Home, 904 Gallatin Road, Nashville, Tennessee.

The family would like to express their forever gratitude to the staff at Bethany Healthcare Center, where Nancy resided for the last four and one half years. We feel truly blessed to have found such a special group of people to take care of our Grannie and make her last years on Earth special.

In honor of Mrs. Nancy Parker and her giving spirit, the family would like to ask you to simply take the time this week to do a good deed for a friend, family member, or neighbor in need – to “pay it forward.”

Arrangements are under the direction of the Eastland Funeral Home and Cremation Service.