Ival Clara Parker

Ival Clara Parker, 87, died Saturday, December 24, 2016 at the Clarity Pointe assisted living facility in Little Rock. She leaves her children, son, Lane Anderson (Andy) Parker of Los Angeles, and daughter, Helen Louise Parker Newcomb (Barry) of Little Rock, her sisters, Loretta Parker (Douglas) of Fort Smith and Carolyn Yarbrough (Bobby) of Morristown, cousins, nieces, nephews and many close friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Dr. Joe C. Parker, her brother, Odell Yocum, sisters Helen Edison, Ione Boul and Oleta Londagin. Ival Clara Yocum was born to Payton and Velma Yocum on November 18, 1929 in Overcup Community near Morrilton, Arkansas delivered by a midwife in the family home. Ival graduated from Morrilton High School and then attended one year at Arkansas State Teachers in Conway. She married Joe Carroll Parker on September 2, 1948 and transferred to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville where her husband was attending college. As a young woman she raised her children, taught school, and supported her husband during his medical education internship training and Ophthalmology residency. The Parker family settled in Springdale in 1960. Ival was active in the local PEO, Beta Sigma Phi and many organizations within the First United Methodist Church of Springdale. Friends and family can drop by for viewing on Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sisco Funeral Chapel at 705 W. Meadow Ave. in Springdale. A celebration of Ival Parker's life will be at the First United Methodist Church in Springdale at 2 p.m., Saturday, January 14. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Alzheimer's Association or to The Salvation Army. Online condolences may be left at www.siscofuneral.com.