Pauline Parker

Eunice Pauline Parker (known as “Pauline” to her friends and family) of Carlisle passed away on Monday, February 19, 2018. The fifth of six children, Pauline was born on March 12, 1928 to Birdie Marie Woods and William Brady Thomas in Memphis, Texas. Pauline’s early years were filled with good memories of playing games with her brothers and sisters, and as anyone who knew her could tell you, her love of playing games only grew with time and she was rarely ever on the losing side.

Four years after her father’s tragic death during the Dust Bowl in 1934, her mother married Charles Westrope, and the family moved to Lonoke County, Arkansas. It seemed that fate had brought Pauline to Arkansas, because it was in Carlisle at a play party that Pauline met her future husband, Otis Parker. Otis courted Pauline under the supervision of Pauline’s brother, Charley, and shortly after they were married, they took over a 720-acre farm south of Carlisle from Otis’s father. The couple lived 60 happy years on the farm and raised five children: Linda, Gary, Dennis, Cynthia, and Jacques.

Pauline committed her life to helping others and supporting her family; she always made the needs of her mother and siblings, her husband, husband’s family, five children, and later her nine grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, her top priority.

Pauline was a pillar of the community. She was a member of the Hamilton United Methodist Church and its UMW as well as the Altruistic Club.

Renowned for her delicious home cooking—especially her strawberry jam—and gracious hospitality, you’d be more likely than not to find visitors at her house on any given day. Her home was a place of warmth, love, and acceptance, and Pauline always enjoyed the company of others. Everyone knew that they were always welcome to drop by and that if they stayed long enough, they’d be invited to join a game (most frequently pitch or checkers) and offered one of her famous home cooked meals.

Just as she was throughout her life, Pauline was surrounded by family and friends during her final days. Pauline's charisma and kindness touched everyone she met. She was loved by many and her absence will be deeply felt.

Pauline is preceded in death by her husband, Otis Parker; sisters Margaret Dismuke and Jewel Britt; brother Charley Thomas; son Jacques Lynn Parker; daughter-in-law Carolyn Parker; granddaughter Rachel Parker; and great-grandson Luke. She is survived by her brothers Lester (Lou Veda) Thomas and Harold (Betty Ruth) Thomas; sister-in-law Dorothy Elmore; brother-in-law Bob (Billie Ruth) Parker; children Gary (Rhonda) Parker and Cynthia (Brian) Stack of Carlisle, Dennis (Leslee) Parker of Beebe, and Linda (Stan) Walker of Walnut Creek, California; granddaughters Lena (David) Slazyk, Sara (Rusty) Carter and Sarah Brady Stack; grandsons Brandon (Beverly) Parker, Ashley (Amy) Parker, Todd Walker, Walt Parker and Jacob Stack; great-grandchildren Gage, Preston, Bentley, Bliss, Dylan, Parker, Jonathan, Christian, Rhett, and Brandt; and her many beloved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Arkansas Hospice Staff and private caregivers Regina, Carolyn, and Yoana, as well as Pauline’s nieces, for their great care of Pauline.

Pauline’s grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.  Memorials may be made to Hamilton Cemetery Fund, 390 Vent Road, Carlisle, AR 72024 and to Hamilton United Methodist Church, 756 Plant Daniels Road, Carlisle, AR 72024.