Barbara Marlaine Ward Parker, 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep the morning of Wednesday,
January 24, 2024. She lives in eternity with Jesus.

Mrs. Parker is preceded in death by her father, Otto Thomas Ward; her mother, Edna Campbell Ward;
her husband, Robert Lynn Parker; and her son, Kenneth Wayne Parker. She is also preceded by her
grandparents, her great aunt, her four sisters, and her brother.

She is survived by one sister, Martha Hudson; her two daughters - Barbara Lynn Parker Norris (Dave),
and Patricia Elaine Parker Calvert (Rich); grandchildren – Robert Wayne Parker (Bobbie), Amy Michelle
Parker, Angela Lynn McCart (Eric), Joshua Paul Calvert, Christin Elaine Calvert; and several great
grandchildren.

Born November 21, 1932 in Piggott, Arkansas, Marlaine grew up in Little Rock, and there attended First
United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir.

Marlaine married her husband of 53 years, Robert "Bob" Parker, in 1953. Soon after, they moved to
Memphis, Tennessee where she devoted herself to her family for many years. Over time Bob and
Marlaine opened several Tropical Fish stores, the last being Bob's Tropicals in Bartlett, Tennessee.

Marlaine was an excellent cook, a talented seamstress, and was known for her quick-wit and sassiness.
She was a HAM radio operator (WA4FSR). She loved cardinals. She was playful, loving, and very creative.

In recent years, Mrs. Parker resided at the South Breeze Senior Living - Arbors Memory Care until her
passing.

Visitation and Memorial will be held Thursday, February 8, in the chapel at Central Church, Collierville,
Tennessee. Visitation with the family will begin at 1 pm, to be followed at 2 pm by a memorial service.
Pastor Greg Sukert will officiate.

The family requests you make donations to the Harvard Brain Tissue Institute for research of Benign
Essential Blepharospasm and Alzheimer's - McLean Hospital, Development Office, 115 Mill Street, MS
126, Belmont, MA 02478. Web address: https://giving.mclean.org/mclean-brain-bank/