We will miss you Mom...
One of the hardest speeches I've ever done, I spoke at my Mom's funeral:
"Dementia. An awful disease that takes one's mind, memories and ability to take care of oneself. My Mom put up an impressive battle for more than 13 years. We watched helplessly as it took her back to her childhood and left us behind, all of us except Daddy that is. She always knew her husband and introduced us to him many times. She became a totally different lady than the one I grew up with. No longer quiet, she could be funny and outspoken, and she never ever let us forget she was in charge. She'd point her crooked little finger toward whatever she expected us to take care of & we would jump into action.
As she lost the ability to care for herself, the challenge grew, but she rolled with it. She didn't like being bathed & dressed by others & quite often smacked us with wash cloths, towels or whatever was within her reach. But during those times her mind would sometimes clear a little & she'd talk to us.
After one of those showers, my sister-in-law mentioned to Mom how much she appreciated the little gifts she gave her for Christmas as she was growing up. Mom said to her "I didn't want you to be left out."
She once told me when she was around 11 or 12 her own grandmother had given all her grandchildren a handkerchief, only Mom was left out. Not getting that handkerchief left a deep impression and she lived her life trying to be sure no other child was left out.
Birthdays weren't just for the birthday kid, siblings got gifts too. Neighborhood kids got gifts. Cousins got gifts. Everyone was included. I remember one Christmas we used every cracker box and tea box we could get our hands on to wrap the small gifts she had accumulated for all the kids she knew.
Growing up, Gene & I drank from peanut butter jars because they had measures on the side, and we could have exactly the same amount. We had the same number of presents under the Christmas trees. The neighborhood kids got bikes one year, we didn't. She didn't let that go, we got our bikes after Christmas. One year they all got roller skates, so she took her stamp books down to the gold stamp store & we were the owners of brand new skates too.
She taught me to read, write & color inside the lines long before I started school, and did her very best to keep up with the fads that came & went as we grew. She worked hard to see that we had the same, or as close as she could afford, as other kids. Gene wore buttoned down shirts with locker loops & matching socks. I had mock Weejun loafers. She was determined we were not going to be left out. Daddy, Gene & I were the center of her world, but she opened her heart to take in all others.
The last couple of years of her life we worked hard to be sure she was not left out of anything. If she mentioned something, we got it. She loved shoes, so we made sure she had plenty. She wore blue jeans & blouses with lots of bling. I wore tee-shirts she could read & put her radio on a station that played all types of music. I learned my Mom loved rap, along with classical & opera. She loved old musicals & would watch for hours. She hummed to herself quite often and every time Silent Night or Silver Bells played at Christmas time, she became very still, listened and hummed along. She would sit with Gary & watch golf, pointing out the colors and people on the screen. She became enthralled in horror & action movies.
Our goal was to blanket her in love. Our job was to make her as happy as possible, to be sure she was safe, warm, and well fed. I think we did both until the very end. We are going to miss her, I am going to miss her but I'm finding comfort knowing she had her conversation with the angels and told them she was ready to go.
She told me so."
Mom's obituary was shared by Cecil & friends at the funeral home:
"Joyce Peace Parker, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family January 15, 2022. A native of Spartanburg Co, SC, she was born to the late William and Bessie Morris Peace. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters Hazel Morgan and Gaynell Scruggs and brothers Thomas Luther Peace, Allen Caldwell Peace and Russel Calvin Peace and her daughter-in-law Joan Marie Parker.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Tom Parker of the home, son Larry "Gene" Parker of Shelby, daughter Judith Proctor and husband Gary of Fallston, brother Michel Peace of Shelby, sisters Patsy White and husband Charlie of Patterson Springs and June Washburn of Shelby, grandchildren Jeanmarie Parker, Megan Elizabeth Parker and Ashley Ann Parker as well as two great granddaughters Lilly and Violet.
She grew up in the Dover Mill Village and was a member of Northside Baptist Church. She retired from Fasco. She loved tending to her flowers, was an amazing seamstress and had the most beautiful voice.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday January 20, 2022 in the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory. Rev. Richard Stroup, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park
Memorials may be made to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.
Online condolences can be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com"
***********
Note: 16 February 2023 I had my Mom and Dad moved from their original burial site, Cleveland Memorial Park near Boiling Springs, NC, to Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Fallston, NC. It was a tough decision, but one that laid heavily on my heart for over a year. They needed to be closer to my home & the one they left behind. Those people involved in this move were the most respectful souls with whom I've ever dealt. From the gentleman who delivered the new vaults, the grave diggers, Jean Spence and the crew at Cleveland Memorial Park, Joey Tysinger with Stamey Tysinger Funeral home, all the Rose Hill crew, every one of these people worked to make sure my Mom & Dad were handled gently and respectfully. Each of them treated me and my feelings with kid gloves and walked me thru the process with compassion. My husband was with me every step of the way & this could not have been done without him. He supported my decision. He was at the original site during the disinterment and accompanied the hearses to their new resting places where I was waiting. It was a very emotional day, but made much easier with the love and support of everyone. I think Mom & Dad would be happy.
One of the hardest speeches I've ever done, I spoke at my Mom's funeral:
"Dementia. An awful disease that takes one's mind, memories and ability to take care of oneself. My Mom put up an impressive battle for more than 13 years. We watched helplessly as it took her back to her childhood and left us behind, all of us except Daddy that is. She always knew her husband and introduced us to him many times. She became a totally different lady than the one I grew up with. No longer quiet, she could be funny and outspoken, and she never ever let us forget she was in charge. She'd point her crooked little finger toward whatever she expected us to take care of & we would jump into action.
As she lost the ability to care for herself, the challenge grew, but she rolled with it. She didn't like being bathed & dressed by others & quite often smacked us with wash cloths, towels or whatever was within her reach. But during those times her mind would sometimes clear a little & she'd talk to us.
After one of those showers, my sister-in-law mentioned to Mom how much she appreciated the little gifts she gave her for Christmas as she was growing up. Mom said to her "I didn't want you to be left out."
She once told me when she was around 11 or 12 her own grandmother had given all her grandchildren a handkerchief, only Mom was left out. Not getting that handkerchief left a deep impression and she lived her life trying to be sure no other child was left out.
Birthdays weren't just for the birthday kid, siblings got gifts too. Neighborhood kids got gifts. Cousins got gifts. Everyone was included. I remember one Christmas we used every cracker box and tea box we could get our hands on to wrap the small gifts she had accumulated for all the kids she knew.
Growing up, Gene & I drank from peanut butter jars because they had measures on the side, and we could have exactly the same amount. We had the same number of presents under the Christmas trees. The neighborhood kids got bikes one year, we didn't. She didn't let that go, we got our bikes after Christmas. One year they all got roller skates, so she took her stamp books down to the gold stamp store & we were the owners of brand new skates too.
She taught me to read, write & color inside the lines long before I started school, and did her very best to keep up with the fads that came & went as we grew. She worked hard to see that we had the same, or as close as she could afford, as other kids. Gene wore buttoned down shirts with locker loops & matching socks. I had mock Weejun loafers. She was determined we were not going to be left out. Daddy, Gene & I were the center of her world, but she opened her heart to take in all others.
The last couple of years of her life we worked hard to be sure she was not left out of anything. If she mentioned something, we got it. She loved shoes, so we made sure she had plenty. She wore blue jeans & blouses with lots of bling. I wore tee-shirts she could read & put her radio on a station that played all types of music. I learned my Mom loved rap, along with classical & opera. She loved old musicals & would watch for hours. She hummed to herself quite often and every time Silent Night or Silver Bells played at Christmas time, she became very still, listened and hummed along. She would sit with Gary & watch golf, pointing out the colors and people on the screen. She became enthralled in horror & action movies.
Our goal was to blanket her in love. Our job was to make her as happy as possible, to be sure she was safe, warm, and well fed. I think we did both until the very end. We are going to miss her, I am going to miss her but I'm finding comfort knowing she had her conversation with the angels and told them she was ready to go.
She told me so."
Mom's obituary was shared by Cecil & friends at the funeral home:
"Joyce Peace Parker, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family January 15, 2022. A native of Spartanburg Co, SC, she was born to the late William and Bessie Morris Peace. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters Hazel Morgan and Gaynell Scruggs and brothers Thomas Luther Peace, Allen Caldwell Peace and Russel Calvin Peace and her daughter-in-law Joan Marie Parker.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Tom Parker of the home, son Larry "Gene" Parker of Shelby, daughter Judith Proctor and husband Gary of Fallston, brother Michel Peace of Shelby, sisters Patsy White and husband Charlie of Patterson Springs and June Washburn of Shelby, grandchildren Jeanmarie Parker, Megan Elizabeth Parker and Ashley Ann Parker as well as two great granddaughters Lilly and Violet.
She grew up in the Dover Mill Village and was a member of Northside Baptist Church. She retired from Fasco. She loved tending to her flowers, was an amazing seamstress and had the most beautiful voice.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday January 20, 2022 in the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory. Rev. Richard Stroup, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park
Memorials may be made to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.
Online condolences can be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com"
***********
Note: 16 February 2023 I had my Mom and Dad moved from their original burial site, Cleveland Memorial Park near Boiling Springs, NC, to Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Fallston, NC. It was a tough decision, but one that laid heavily on my heart for over a year. They needed to be closer to my home & the one they left behind. Those people involved in this move were the most respectful souls with whom I've ever dealt. From the gentleman who delivered the new vaults, the grave diggers, Jean Spence and the crew at Cleveland Memorial Park, Joey Tysinger with Stamey Tysinger Funeral home, all the Rose Hill crew, every one of these people worked to make sure my Mom & Dad were handled gently and respectfully. Each of them treated me and my feelings with kid gloves and walked me thru the process with compassion. My husband was with me every step of the way & this could not have been done without him. He supported my decision. He was at the original site during the disinterment and accompanied the hearses to their new resting places where I was waiting. It was a very emotional day, but made much easier with the love and support of everyone. I think Mom & Dad would be happy.
We will miss you Mom...
One of the hardest speeches I've ever done, I spoke at my Mom's funeral:
"Dementia. An awful disease that takes one's mind, memories and ability to take care of oneself. My Mom put up an impressive battle for more than 13 years. We watched helplessly as it took her back to her childhood and left us behind, all of us except Daddy that is. She always knew her husband and introduced us to him many times. She became a totally different lady than the one I grew up with. No longer quiet, she could be funny and outspoken, and she never ever let us forget she was in charge. She'd point her crooked little finger toward whatever she expected us to take care of & we would jump into action.
As she lost the ability to care for herself, the challenge grew, but she rolled with it. She didn't like being bathed & dressed by others & quite often smacked us with wash cloths, towels or whatever was within her reach. But during those times her mind would sometimes clear a little & she'd talk to us.
After one of those showers, my sister-in-law mentioned to Mom how much she appreciated the little gifts she gave her for Christmas as she was growing up. Mom said to her "I didn't want you to be left out."
She once told me when she was around 11 or 12 her own grandmother had given all her grandchildren a handkerchief, only Mom was left out. Not getting that handkerchief left a deep impression and she lived her life trying to be sure no other child was left out.
Birthdays weren't just for the birthday kid, siblings got gifts too. Neighborhood kids got gifts. Cousins got gifts. Everyone was included. I remember one Christmas we used every cracker box and tea box we could get our hands on to wrap the small gifts she had accumulated for all the kids she knew.
Growing up, Gene & I drank from peanut butter jars because they had measures on the side, and we could have exactly the same amount. We had the same number of presents under the Christmas trees. The neighborhood kids got bikes one year, we didn't. She didn't let that go, we got our bikes after Christmas. One year they all got roller skates, so she took her stamp books down to the gold stamp store & we were the owners of brand new skates too.
She taught me to read, write & color inside the lines long before I started school, and did her very best to keep up with the fads that came & went as we grew. She worked hard to see that we had the same, or as close as she could afford, as other kids. Gene wore buttoned down shirts with locker loops & matching socks. I had mock Weejun loafers. She was determined we were not going to be left out. Daddy, Gene & I were the center of her world, but she opened her heart to take in all others.
The last couple of years of her life we worked hard to be sure she was not left out of anything. If she mentioned something, we got it. She loved shoes, so we made sure she had plenty. She wore blue jeans & blouses with lots of bling. I wore tee-shirts she could read & put her radio on a station that played all types of music. I learned my Mom loved rap, along with classical & opera. She loved old musicals & would watch for hours. She hummed to herself quite often and every time Silent Night or Silver Bells played at Christmas time, she became very still, listened and hummed along. She would sit with Gary & watch golf, pointing out the colors and people on the screen. She became enthralled in horror & action movies.
Our goal was to blanket her in love. Our job was to make her as happy as possible, to be sure she was safe, warm, and well fed. I think we did both until the very end. We are going to miss her, I am going to miss her but I'm finding comfort knowing she had her conversation with the angels and told them she was ready to go.
She told me so."
Mom's obituary was shared by Cecil & friends at the funeral home:
"Joyce Peace Parker, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family January 15, 2022. A native of Spartanburg Co, SC, she was born to the late William and Bessie Morris Peace. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters Hazel Morgan and Gaynell Scruggs and brothers Thomas Luther Peace, Allen Caldwell Peace and Russel Calvin Peace and her daughter-in-law Joan Marie Parker.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Tom Parker of the home, son Larry "Gene" Parker of Shelby, daughter Judith Proctor and husband Gary of Fallston, brother Michel Peace of Shelby, sisters Patsy White and husband Charlie of Patterson Springs and June Washburn of Shelby, grandchildren Jeanmarie Parker, Megan Elizabeth Parker and Ashley Ann Parker as well as two great granddaughters Lilly and Violet.
She grew up in the Dover Mill Village and was a member of Northside Baptist Church. She retired from Fasco. She loved tending to her flowers, was an amazing seamstress and had the most beautiful voice.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday January 20, 2022 in the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory. Rev. Richard Stroup, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park
Memorials may be made to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.
Online condolences can be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com"
***********
Note: 16 February 2023 I had my Mom and Dad moved from their original burial site, Cleveland Memorial Park near Boiling Springs, NC, to Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Fallston, NC. It was a tough decision, but one that laid heavily on my heart for over a year. They needed to be closer to my home & the one they left behind. Those people involved in this move were the most respectful souls with whom I've ever dealt. From the gentleman who delivered the new vaults, the grave diggers, Jean Spence and the crew at Cleveland Memorial Park, Joey Tysinger with Stamey Tysinger Funeral home, all the Rose Hill crew, every one of these people worked to make sure my Mom & Dad were handled gently and respectfully. Each of them treated me and my feelings with kid gloves and walked me thru the process with compassion. My husband was with me every step of the way & this could not have been done without him. He supported my decision. He was at the original site during the disinterment and accompanied the hearses to their new resting places where I was waiting. It was a very emotional day, but made much easier with the love and support of everyone. I think Mom & Dad would be happy.
One of the hardest speeches I've ever done, I spoke at my Mom's funeral:
"Dementia. An awful disease that takes one's mind, memories and ability to take care of oneself. My Mom put up an impressive battle for more than 13 years. We watched helplessly as it took her back to her childhood and left us behind, all of us except Daddy that is. She always knew her husband and introduced us to him many times. She became a totally different lady than the one I grew up with. No longer quiet, she could be funny and outspoken, and she never ever let us forget she was in charge. She'd point her crooked little finger toward whatever she expected us to take care of & we would jump into action.
As she lost the ability to care for herself, the challenge grew, but she rolled with it. She didn't like being bathed & dressed by others & quite often smacked us with wash cloths, towels or whatever was within her reach. But during those times her mind would sometimes clear a little & she'd talk to us.
After one of those showers, my sister-in-law mentioned to Mom how much she appreciated the little gifts she gave her for Christmas as she was growing up. Mom said to her "I didn't want you to be left out."
She once told me when she was around 11 or 12 her own grandmother had given all her grandchildren a handkerchief, only Mom was left out. Not getting that handkerchief left a deep impression and she lived her life trying to be sure no other child was left out.
Birthdays weren't just for the birthday kid, siblings got gifts too. Neighborhood kids got gifts. Cousins got gifts. Everyone was included. I remember one Christmas we used every cracker box and tea box we could get our hands on to wrap the small gifts she had accumulated for all the kids she knew.
Growing up, Gene & I drank from peanut butter jars because they had measures on the side, and we could have exactly the same amount. We had the same number of presents under the Christmas trees. The neighborhood kids got bikes one year, we didn't. She didn't let that go, we got our bikes after Christmas. One year they all got roller skates, so she took her stamp books down to the gold stamp store & we were the owners of brand new skates too.
She taught me to read, write & color inside the lines long before I started school, and did her very best to keep up with the fads that came & went as we grew. She worked hard to see that we had the same, or as close as she could afford, as other kids. Gene wore buttoned down shirts with locker loops & matching socks. I had mock Weejun loafers. She was determined we were not going to be left out. Daddy, Gene & I were the center of her world, but she opened her heart to take in all others.
The last couple of years of her life we worked hard to be sure she was not left out of anything. If she mentioned something, we got it. She loved shoes, so we made sure she had plenty. She wore blue jeans & blouses with lots of bling. I wore tee-shirts she could read & put her radio on a station that played all types of music. I learned my Mom loved rap, along with classical & opera. She loved old musicals & would watch for hours. She hummed to herself quite often and every time Silent Night or Silver Bells played at Christmas time, she became very still, listened and hummed along. She would sit with Gary & watch golf, pointing out the colors and people on the screen. She became enthralled in horror & action movies.
Our goal was to blanket her in love. Our job was to make her as happy as possible, to be sure she was safe, warm, and well fed. I think we did both until the very end. We are going to miss her, I am going to miss her but I'm finding comfort knowing she had her conversation with the angels and told them she was ready to go.
She told me so."
Mom's obituary was shared by Cecil & friends at the funeral home:
"Joyce Peace Parker, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family January 15, 2022. A native of Spartanburg Co, SC, she was born to the late William and Bessie Morris Peace. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters Hazel Morgan and Gaynell Scruggs and brothers Thomas Luther Peace, Allen Caldwell Peace and Russel Calvin Peace and her daughter-in-law Joan Marie Parker.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Tom Parker of the home, son Larry "Gene" Parker of Shelby, daughter Judith Proctor and husband Gary of Fallston, brother Michel Peace of Shelby, sisters Patsy White and husband Charlie of Patterson Springs and June Washburn of Shelby, grandchildren Jeanmarie Parker, Megan Elizabeth Parker and Ashley Ann Parker as well as two great granddaughters Lilly and Violet.
She grew up in the Dover Mill Village and was a member of Northside Baptist Church. She retired from Fasco. She loved tending to her flowers, was an amazing seamstress and had the most beautiful voice.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday January 20, 2022 in the Chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory. Rev. Richard Stroup, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Cleveland Memorial Park
Memorials may be made to St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105
Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family.
Online condolences can be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com"
***********
Note: 16 February 2023 I had my Mom and Dad moved from their original burial site, Cleveland Memorial Park near Boiling Springs, NC, to Rose Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Fallston, NC. It was a tough decision, but one that laid heavily on my heart for over a year. They needed to be closer to my home & the one they left behind. Those people involved in this move were the most respectful souls with whom I've ever dealt. From the gentleman who delivered the new vaults, the grave diggers, Jean Spence and the crew at Cleveland Memorial Park, Joey Tysinger with Stamey Tysinger Funeral home, all the Rose Hill crew, every one of these people worked to make sure my Mom & Dad were handled gently and respectfully. Each of them treated me and my feelings with kid gloves and walked me thru the process with compassion. My husband was with me every step of the way & this could not have been done without him. He supported my decision. He was at the original site during the disinterment and accompanied the hearses to their new resting places where I was waiting. It was a very emotional day, but made much easier with the love and support of everyone. I think Mom & Dad would be happy.
