Evelyn Mixson Parker
SEARCY FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, 1301 Neal Metcalf Road, Enterprise, AL 36330Viewed: 1587
Posted by: MikeThompson
[email protected]
334-393-2273 or 334-347-2517
Date: Jul 01 2014 5:38 PM
Evelyn Mixson Parker, age 94, of Enterprise, AL, died Monday, June 30, 2014 surrounded by family and friends.
Funeral services will be Thursday, July 3, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Enterprise First United Methodist Church with Rev. Tonya Elmore and Dr. John Friedman officiating. Interment will be at Meadowlawn Cemetery following the service. The family will receive friends in the church parlor beginning at 9:30 A.M.
Evelyn was born and raised in Skipperville, AL in Dale County. She was the daughter of Foy Whigham Mixson and Ralph Mixson.
After graduating as Salutatorian from Dale County High School in Ozark, Evelyn attended and graduated from Huntingdon College with a Bachelor of Science Degree. She began teaching in Brewton, AL. During her teaching career she taught Math, Science and Home Economics in Brewton, Ozark and Enterprise.
On October 2, 1942, Evelyn married the ambitious and charismatic Yancey Parker of Ozark, AL. Yancey was stationed at Camp Rucker and Evelyn became head of the Menus and Issue Section of the Post Quartermaster at Camp Rucker.
After the closure of Camp Rucker, the Parker’s purchased Joe Calloway’s Men’s store in Enterprise—January 3, 1949. They built a very successful clothing business called Yancey Parker’s.
She loved her work in teaching and her students fondly remember her; however, Yancey convinced her to leave teaching and they worked together side by side. She remained a vital part of the business from its beginning from January, 1949 to 2002, and was a vital part for more than 50 years.
Evelyn was actively involved in her family, church, the community and civic activities.
She was a vital part of Enterprise First United Methodist Church since 1949. Evelyn helped form the youth fellowship (MYF) in the early 1950’s. She was a member of the Edna Guice Sunday School Class and also, teaching the Children’s Sunday School Class. She was actively involved in the United Methodist Women for over 50 years and a member of Circle I where she has many close relationships. Evelyn served as chairman of the Parsonage Committee and served on many other committees.
Evelyn was active in many civic organizations. She was a charter member of the Pilot Club. Evelyn, along with Mrs. Bill Dickinson, helped start the Republican Women of Coffee County. She worked diligently in the Enterprise Study Club and American Association of University Women.
In 1974, Evelyn was selected Enterprise Woman of the Year. Yancey had previously been named Man of the Year and their daughter, Melissa, Woman of the Year in 1987. Their family has the distinct honor of being the only family to be selected for this honor. Because of this honor, Evelyn was a member of the Oscar Club.
In 1992 Evelyn was honored by Huntingdon College with the Alumni Loyalty Award for her consistently demonstrating her love and loyalty to the college by encouraging students in the Wiregrass area to achieve their goals at Huntingdon College.
On May 30, 1993, Enterprise proclaimed a Yancey and Evelyn Parker Day.
In 1998, the Governor of the State of Alabama bestowed on Evelyn the Hospitality Award for her Southern Hospitality and extended work where they sponsored over 150 students from 13 different countries since 1960, through the Allied Student program at Fort Rucker. Due to their endeavors, Enterprise has hosted Fort Rucker appreciation week for over 40 years.
In 2001, the Alabama Retailers Association honored the Parker’s with the Retailer of the Year Award for the State of Alabama.
Evelyn Mixson Parker was a true Southern lady who lived a life full of love for God, family, church and community.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Yancey Parker; her parents, Ralph and Foy Mixson; her brothers, Harold Mixson and Whigham Mixson of Ozark; her brother-in-law, William Piper of Dothan.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Melissa Anne and Addison Drummond Paul, Enterprise; sister, Kathryn Piper, Dothan; brother, Dr. Andrew Mixson (Sarah Jane Metcalf) Birmingham; sisters-in-law, Sarah Marshall Mixson; Imogene Mathison Mixson, both of Ozark; and several nieces, nephews and a host of friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Enterprise First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Main Street, Enterprise, AL 36330, Skipperville United Methodist Church, PO Box 235, Skipperville, AL 36374 or to Coffee County Arts Alliance, PO Box 310447, Enterprise, AL 36331.
You may sign the register book or send condolences to the family at our website: www.searcyfuneralhome.com.
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