Willie Parr Obituary

August 4, 1919 - September 13, 2008 Willie Mae Parr was born on August 4, 1919 in Navasota, TX. She was the daughter of Will and Georgia (Baker) Sauls. Mrs. Parr was the next to the oldest of six children. Her parents, her only brother, and two of her four sisters preceded her in death. On February 13, 1945, she married an airman, William Nelson Parr, and the two of them shared over fifty years of holy matrimony until his death on July 25, 1995. In 1963, a daughter was added to their union, and they named her Catherine Gail. Mrs. Willie Mae Parr grew up during hard times in Texas and spoke of picking cotton and helping her mother raise her other siblings at the sacrifice of her own academic education. By 1962, the Parr family relocated to Colorado Springs, Colorado and became lifelong residents. Mrs. Parr was known for raising children and enjoyed many years as day care provider in her home. There are many young adults that can reminisce about Mrs. Parr's good cooking and firm discipline, which she was quite proud of. She was also proud of being a "Leo" since her strong personality likened her to the strength of a lion as she was one tough Texan woman. She was a member of Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church and served on the Mother's Board and assisted in the kitchen ministry. She truly loved to sing the old Baptist hymnal, "Precious Lord, Take My Hand". Since December 2003, Mrs. Parr resided in Clinton, MD to be in close proximity to her daughter and receive the love and care that she deserved. While ten years of suffering with dementia had taken its toll on her body, her spirit remained strong until the very end. She departed this life on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at Bradford Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Clinton, Maryland. She is survived by her only child, Catherine Gail Turner, son-in law Elder Lewis A. Turner, granddaughter Catherine Christine Turner, and grandson Lewis Benjamin Turner (all of Laurel, MD). She is also survived by two sisters, Maude Taylor (Houston, TX), and Leola Kendrick (San Angelo, TX) and a host of other nephews and nieces. A Visitation will be held from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 20, 2008 at the Shrine of Remembrance "America the Beautiful" Chapel of Roses. Private Entombment will follow at the Shrine of Remembrance Mausoleum, Garden of Angels.