News
| PARKER FAMILY CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATION 2007!
Saturday, December 1,
2007 at: Jimmy and Sue Rogers
5389 Hwy 59 S
Nacogdoches , Texas 75964 |
| In Memoriam -
The memorial services for Retha (Parker)
Spoonemore Self were held Tuesday October 23, 2007 in the chapel at
Forest Lawn Park in Beaumont, Texas. Dr. Raymond McHenry delivered the
eulogy. Dr. McHenry is the pastor of the church when Retha’s three sons,
Barry, Rickey and Keith attend. Reverend McHenry’s homily noted how the
large attendance of relatives and friends was a testimonial to the way
in which Retha touched the lives of many in a positive way.
If it can be said that a memorial service to honor someone who is dearly loved and respected by multitudes is beautiful, moving and touching hers would certainly overflow. “Surely goodness and mercy did follow Retha all the days of her life and she now dwells in the house of her Lord forever.” A most loving tender moment of the service was at the beginning when two black ladies came down the center isle as one or Retha’s cherished songs was being heard. These ladies stood before the casket and paid their respect to her in a few moments of silence, and then privately speaking to the family. As they gracefully walked back from whence they came they could be heard softly singing the hymn. It was not made known who these ladies were; perhaps just friends but more likely special friends who became close to her as they rendered care to her physical needs. Who ever they were, they were people remembering and sadden by their loss of a special relationship. It was mentioned in the homily each of Retha’s sons had stated she had established a moral compass for their lives. This was no surprising statement of fact to all who knew her or that has read her autobiography written several years ago. In it she would speak of the beauty of the world God created as she viewed it while traveling about. It is a forgone conclusion Christianity had preeminence. One of her top priorities in life was to be sure the ones she had given physical birth to would receive a spiritual birth. In the moment, in the twinkling of an eye when our beloved sister Retha crossed over Jordan most likely the first thing she heard was “well done thy good and faithful servant, enter now into the mansion that has been prepared just for you. Perhaps the second thing she heard as she and husband Pete became reunited forever was “I’ve have been waiting for you.” If Retha could speak to each of us most likely her first words would be “if you could just see me now.” The Holy Scriptures that Retha loved speaks of our life in two opposite ways perhaps. One way is its longevity and the other is the brevity. Dieing is as much a part of life as living is of life. The brevity of life upon earth is spoken of in respect to eternity as like a vapor which suddenly appears and just as suddenly disappears forever. It moves faster than a Weaver’s shuttle. Often times we hear someone say when I get to heaven I am going to ask Peter or Paul about a certain thing. We think we might like to ask Noah about the time he took a long cruise. The one thing I feel we can be certain of is when we all get to heaven it is a whole lot better than we ever imagine. Time as we know it was created for mankind while upon the earth, and is no more in heaven. We are reminded of time in many different ways. Even our “time pieces” gives the illusion of generating time when a day comes to close as it marks the beginning of another. You probably can not imagine how it will be like to not be in a hurry, to never have another bad thought or having to never say I am sorry. Those things alone make all the earthly trials worth while, but there is so much more to have. One of my beliefs is that we will have an everlasting overwhelming of the “wonder of it all.” Many things we long to know in this life will be as if thought we have known them from eternity past. It is much doubtful that we will review any portion of the past life. Will there be “on the job” training in heaven? I am persuaded not so much as a second of time as learning to obey the Lord in this life is graduating magna cum laud. The Holy Scripture tells us Christians will reign and rule with Christ. Isn’t it wonderful we have to wait until it comes our own time to cross Jordan to know over what? We have only our own thoughts as to what Christians will be ruling over. Will it be ruling over one of the billions universes in the endless outer space? If this be so Retha will have many stars in her crown.
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| In Memoriam -
Edwin Hurta passed away on Thursday, December
17 at 3:15 PM CST following a massive heart attack I had the pleasure of
being one of Edwin's nephew's. (His favorite I am sure) We lived as
neighbors for a while in Athens Texas and it is there I grew to know him
very well. Uncle Edwin had a gentle spirit, a generous heart and a humorous
side. He will be missed by us all.
Edwin's memorial service will be: |
| BJ Higgins
- (Wanda's son who took the video) is
creating a photo album and DVD. He has created a site to upload photos
and encourages those who attended the Parker 2005 Christmas Party and
took photos to share. If you do not want to share, you may just look at
the online photo album. Contact BJ or myself for the url and the
password.
If you would like to add picture content to the album from the event of your own, family pictures of past events, members when they were younger. or pics of children that should be included in the album that could be used for printing a family album, please do. Then, the 2005 album could be seen at next years Christmas Reunion party. Small texted Names & Dates on the pictures would help also, so that the pictures could be made full size for the album printing. |
| PARKER FAMILY CHRISTMAS
CELEBRATION!
It’s time for the annual Saturday, December 4, 2004 Meal served approximately at noon at the home of Dorothy Hurta 12230 CR 1206 Tyler TX 75703 903-581-1586 PLEASE BRING: * As many of your family as you can! * 2 dishes to share. (Helen will make the turkey and dressing. Jolene is bring ham, and plates, cups, forks, etc. Kodell is bring his famous green beans, etc.!!) * 1 gift for a man, if you are a man * 1 gift for a lady, if you are a lady * A gift for your own child or grandchild Fun! Fun! Fun! The men’s and ladies’ gifts will be drawn for / exchanged / fought over as usual! See ya soon! If we have not heard from you yet, please RSVP to me, Louise, and to Dorothy at:
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Charles and Janie Crippen Golden
Wedding Anniversary -
 x |
| Crippen Reunion , JULY 13, 2002
-
Hello all ! Have set the date for the . It will be at the Cherokee Co. Electric Co-op Building about 2 miles NORTH of Rusk on Hwy. 69. Watch for signs. Bring a covered dish , toys for the children; a very good place for them to play. No hard balls or bats. Put a lawn chair in if you would like to sit outside. Just came to have a good visit with your cousins. Have a great meal , take pictures and etc. Look forward to seeing all of you, July 13, 2002. Please let me know if you are coming or not. If you have old pictures of your family bring then. Would love to place a copy of anyone's in our album. Would love to have pictures of Dee and Hattie's children, young or old. OK ? Let me hear. w.cripp@juno.com cousin-in-law. Wilma Sue Crippen |
| Dee and Mattie CRIPPEN Family
Reunion -
July 21, 2001 at the V.F. W. Hall , RUSK, TX at
the Y on HWY 69 south & loop 62. starts about 11:00 A.M. Covered dish
and lots of good times to be had by all. w.cripp@juno.com cousin-in-law. Wilma Sue Crippen |
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