Obituary of Joan Parker

Born May 27, 1955 at Pemiscot Memorial Hospital in Hayti, MO, Joan Lee Lawrence Parker spent her early years along the banks of the Mississippi River (or “her river,” as she so fondly referred to it) in her beloved hometown of Caruthersville, MO. After graduating from Caruthersville HS in 1973 where she was co-captain of the cheerleading squad, Joan began her lifelong career as an administrative professional at IBP, Inc. in Nebraska City, NE. It wasn’t long, however, before Joan’s noted hatred of winter prompted her to transfer down south to Amarillo, TX. It was here, against the romantic backdrop of a beef-packing plant, Joan met and married a handsome, long-haired rock ‘n roller named Kenneth T. Parker with whom she later had 3 equally handsome rock ‘n roller children named Raychel Anne, Lisa Nicole, and Benjamin Lawrence. Joan eventually took a job at Corporate Systems in Amarillo where she remained employed for 12 years. During this time, she became a Certified Professional Secretary (1987), served as a member of Professional Secretaries International, and exercised her love of softball as second baseman on the company’s coed softball team. After relocating with her family to Carrollton, TX, Joan took a job at a small utility company in Dallas (now called Clearview Energy) where she played a formative role in the company’s tremendous growth and success, and remained a dedicated employee for 18 years up to the time of her death. A true southern lady, Joan was equal parts sugar and spice with a personality far bigger than her diminutive 4’11” frame. Joan’s beautiful smile was her personal piece of sunshine to everyone who knew her and anyone who met her. The things Joan loved, she loved fervently. Her magnet collection will tell you how dedicated of a patron she was to Dallas Summer Musicals (Les Misérables being her all-time favorite). Her puppy collection will tell you how dedicated she was to pugs and pug accessories (although she happily welcomed all tail-wagging creatures into her home). Her everything else collection will tell you how much she loved (oh and how she loved) the Oklahoma Sooners. Following a seven-year battle with cancer, Joan peacefully departed this world on March 17, 2020 surrounded by all her children and her best friend Kenneth. Joan faced her death with the same courage and grace she showed throughout illness, and looked forward to once again seeing her father (Al), mother (Emma), and to reuniting at long last at the Rainbow Bridge with her many beloved pets she cared for over her amazing 64 years. Joan is survived by two older brothers whom she absolutely adored, Bobby and Skip Lawrence, their wives Susan and Suzanne Lawrence, her stepdaughter Kelly Smith and husband Darrell, beloved furbabies JoJo and Cosette, granddogs Banjo, Blue, Bandit, and Pipsy Von Cheeseburger, grandturtle Hobbes, numerous nieces and nephews (all human), and many dear friends (mostly human). She is also survived by her three adoring children Raychel Parker-Dull (Jeff), Lisa Parker, and Benjamin Parker who will forever and always love and miss their sweet Mommoo more than words could ever express but who take solace in knowing she’s still out there being the same watchful, loving, and protective guardian angel she was to them in life. Finally, Joan is survived by her best friend and life partner Kenneth Parker who provided continuous care and support throughout every stage of Joan’s illness and served as a devoted caregiver in her final months epitomizing their special bond and the enduring love they shared for more than 40 years. Joan’s family would like to thank the wonderful staff at UT Southwestern Dallas, William P. Clements Hospital, and Pathway Hospice, and would like to give special thanks to her tremendously caring and supportive work family at Clearview Energy. Memorial services will be held at a later date not yet determined, so in lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Joan’s memory in one or all of the following ways: 1. When you pass a stranger, smile and say hello. 2. When you see a pug, stop and pet it. (Bonus points for emitting high-pitched squeals while doing so.) 3. When you hear a song you love, sing along loudly and with feeling. 4. When you spy someone sporting UT apparel, kick them in the shin and yell “BOOMER SOONER!”