Leona Maurene Evans Parker, was born on Sunday, April 17, 1910, in Vineyard, Texas. She passed away on Friday, April 13, 2007, in Albuquerque, N.M. Early in her life the family moved to Mayhill, N.M., where she started to school. They later moved to Montezuma, N.M., where she met Walter Milfred Parker. They were married on May 23, 1934. Their married years were spent in various towns in New Mexico including Tucumcari, Hassell, Gallup, Ima, House, Clovis and finally Albuquerque. Maurene was a mother first, a homemaker, a teacher and, of course, friend to many. Her college education was obtained at Mary Hardin Baylor College in Belton, Texas, and later in the early 1950's she attended the University of New Mexico to update her teaching certificate. She taught at Ganado, Ariz., House, Ima and Bosque Farms, N.M. schools. Her final years were spent living with her youngest daughter, Mary Nell and husband Leo, in Albuquerque. Maurene and Walter always found time to enjoy life. They were members of the Carlisle Plaza Methodist Church in Albuquerque. They enjoyed square dancing and were active in square dance clubs wherever they lived. Maurene was an accomplished pianist and she and Walter were also very active in local and state gospel singing groups. In their later years they often hosted a local group in their home and were often guests performing in local rest homes, where they made light of performing for the "old folks".
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Walter Parker, in 1998. She is survived by her six children, Marjorie Larragoite and husband, Gil, of Albuquerque, Betty Lugo and husband, Al, of Albuquerque, Eugene Parker and wife, Mary Lu, of Roswell, Ronald Parker and wife, Suzi, of Las Cruces, Phyllis Snow and husband, Robert, of Houston, Texas and Mary Nell Pate and husband Leo, of Albuquerque; and sister, Mary Virginia McClure, of New Braunfels, Texas; 14 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services will be held on Friday, April 20, 2007, 10:00 a.m., at Carlisle Plaza Methodist Church, in Albuquerque, N.M., with interment at the Hassell Community Cemetery at 4:00 p.m. Friends may visit French Mortuary, University Blvd. Chapel, Thursday, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers donation may be made to Hassell Community Association, c/o Betty Upton, HC 66 Box 32, Quervo, NM 88417.
Arrangements are by French Mortuary, 1111 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87102, (505) 843-6333, www.frenchmortuary.com
Published in the Clovis News Journal and the Portales News-Tribune from 4/18/2007 - 4/19/2007.