Tammy Parker

Tammy Bailey Parker, 64, of Carlisle journeyed to her heavenly home on Thursday, January 20, 2022. Tammy was born in Oklahoma City on December 17, 1957, to the late Barbara Bailey Arthur.

As a child, Tammy was moved to North Little Rock and would tell you she returned to the country as soon as possible. She received her bachelor’s degree from Arkansas Tech University and called herself an old naturalist, as she spent her early years working for Arkansas State Parks. It was in the blizzard of 1982 that she married her true love, Charles Parker of Hamilton, where she moved to help him farm and raise his sons CJ and Tommy. Later, her pride and joy, her best friend Bailey was born. Bailey shared Tammy’s love for reining horses, 4-H, poodles, and their communities. Bailey and Scott’s daughter, Della, arrived in time for Tammy’s final birthday on this earth, just as Tammy hoped.

Tammy’s laid back disposition and witty sense of humor combined with her spiritual gift of encouragement radiated to others and had a way of making them feel important, empowered, and loved. She touched many lives over the years teaching life skills and self-confidence as a devoted 4-H Program Assistant for Lonoke County.

Even as Tammy’s Parkinson’s progressed, she took every opportunity to smile, laugh, dance, and love. She loved life, her family, and the Lord to the fullest.

Tammy is survived by her husband, Charles Parker, and their children, Bailey (Scott) Crane, and CJ (Cara) Parker of Carlisle, and Tommy (Ashley) Parker of Norman, OK; her eight grandchildren, Clay, Caleb, and Caty Parker, Piper and Della Crane, and Hailey, Michael, and Will Parker; her sister, DeAnn Plant of North Little Rock (with whom she shared an unbreakable bond), brother-in-law, Lee (Janice) Parker of Des Arc, and sister-in-law, Beverly Stringfellow of Lonoke, and her aunts, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank her wonderful caregivers, especially Deborah Richarson and Anita Bowlan.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorials to be sent to the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 29 at 3 p.m. at the Carlisle Methodist Church Family Life Center.