Betty Parker Obituary

Betty Ann Parker of Claypool, Indiana went home to be with her Lord at 1:54 p m on Friday, October 6, 2023, at Stillwater Hospice Home of Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of 88 She was born on September 14, 1935, in Albion, Indiana to Pearl (Vanderford) Crothers and Lafayette Crothers A longtime resident of Claypool for the past 48 years, she shared her life with her late husband, Meredith, in everything they did until he passed away on February 7, 2015 It is hard to put into words who Betty Ann Parker was Yet, Proverbs 31 speaks of the woman of noble character, and Betty was the living definition of this woman She was a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman, a rare and precious jewel Anyone who met her knew what a gift she was Their life was forever changed by meeting her Her heart was full of love, mercy, kindness, and compassion She cared for all, which drew her to a career in nursing After graduating high school, she attended Parkview Methodist School of Nursing and became a proud Registered Nurse Betty was a faithful loving wife to Meredith L Parker for 57 years They were married on June 21, 1957, and quickly began to build a beautifully woven legacy starting with seven children. . . two boys and 5 girls Betty worked alongside her husband on the farm, never idle Though she put her career on hold to raise her children, she never stopped nursing In the rural farm communities where they lived, people would call on her for medical aid She was always willing to lend a helping hand After her youngest went to school, Betty returned to nursing She spent 33 years working for Miller's Merry Manor in Warsaw, in geriatric nursing, which she loved Betty quickly became head charge nurse, then assistant director of nursing and acting director of nursing She never desired to lead but found herself in that place often As department heads came and went, Betty's wealth of experience and knowledge was called upon to raise new leaders She could fill any gap and often did Her compassion for others was endless She taught new nurses how to draw blood by practicing on her first She said she would rather them learn on her than the patients She served and honored every life she touched with gentle kind hands Her patients were always treated with dignity and respect Betty helped develop a program to transport patients to and from the doctor and hospital and on various occasions drive the residents in the Miller's van She was their advocate when the family wasn't able to do so She spoke up for those who couldn't speak for themselves and made sure they were not a number She made sure her patients knew they still were valuable and mattered In her last few days of life, one of her daughters told her she was a good nurse She says it best herself as she retorted, "I was a damn good nurse!" Quality time was Betty's love language It showed it in her personal life as well as in her career Family meant more to her than anything As her family increased from seven children, adding twenty-two grandchildren, which produced thirty great grandchildren, she always had time She showed it by taking the time to teach them all her secret tricks, from making bread, sewing, crocheting, gardening and canning Grandma Parker's lap was always the best seat in the house She had great wisdom to share and love to give There was always room for one more and enough food to go around She made sure her family knew how to thrive Not to mention all the honorary children and grandchildren that call her mom and grandma She took great care to nurture and raise her legacy in the way that they should go As we celebrate and honor Betty's life, let it be known she has run her race well Her family rises up and calls her blessed! Yet truth be told, they are the ones who are truly blessed, happy, fortunate and to be envied, for the opportunity to be raised by such an amazing mother and grandmother She will be lovingly remembered by her two sons, Tony (Sharon) Parker (Waveland, IN), Thomas (Tracy) Parker (Warsaw, IN); and five daughters, Karen (Douglas) Foulks (New Haven, IN); Janet Eherenman (Warsaw, IN); Lori (Bruce) Spangle (North Manchester, IN); Peggy (Donald) Roulo (Pierceton, IN); and Patty Wolfe (Claypool, IN) She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Meredith Parker, two brothers, Harry and Ralph Crothers and her sister, LaVerne Harrell Friends and family may visit from 3:00 - 7:00 p m on Monday, October 9, 2023, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana Betty's life will be celebrated with a funeral service at 11:00 a m on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home and officiated by Pastor Brian Smith and Pastor Matt Nichols A graveside service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw, Indiana Memorial donations may be directed to Stillwater Hospice, P O Box 1196, Warsaw, Indiana 46581-1196