Maxine Ellzey Parker of Harrisburg, Arkansas departed this life at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House in Jonesboro on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, just 5 days prior to her 97th birthday. She was born on June 5, 1926, the eldest of eleven children born to the Reverend Thaddeus Edmond Ellzey and Lora Irene (Marshall) Ellzey. Maxine was a member of Lebanon Baptist Church.
Maxine’s life was shaped by world events having been born during the Great Depression and entering marriage to Carlos Parker, the love of her life, on September 4, 1943 during World War II. Soon after, at the age of seventeen, she traveled unaccompanied to California by train to join Carlos who was in naval training on the west coast. They celebrated fifty-four years of marriage prior to Carlos’ death in 1997. Carlos and Maxine were blessed with six children, five of whom survive. They are Sandra McDonald, Patricia (Robert) Brashears, and Deborah Turner of Harrisburg; Karen (Joe) Jimerson of Centralia, Missouri, and Carlos (Cathy) Parker, of McCrory. Preceding her in death was her youngest child, Regina Vick. Maxine is survived by six grandchildren, Allen (Jaslene) McDonald, Crystal Turner Ellis, Marcus Jimerson, Michael (Cary Cox) Jimerson, Sarah (James Lewis) Vick, and Sydney Vick Schultz. One grandchild, Erika Trueblood preceded her in death. Maxine is survived by ten great-grandchildren. They are Alexa, Penny, and Elizabeth McDonald; Zachary and Hailey Trueblood; Clay, Edgar, and Evie Ellis; Nora and Drake Jimerson, Andee and Olive Schultz.
Siblings surviving Maxine are Wanda Walker and T. E. (Betty) Ellzey, Jr. of Memphis, Tennessee; Paul (Norma) Ellzey of Harrisburg; and Brenda (Joel) Brunner of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Preceding her in death were six siblings and six half-siblings.
Maxine enjoyed being of service to others and was involved in community activities. She was a seventy-three-year member of the Arkansas Extension Homemakers Club. She also served as a cultural interpreter demonstrating the skill and art of handmade quilting and crochet at the Parker Homestead.
Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 for family and 12:30 until 2:00 for friends on Saturday, June 3 at the Jackson’s Harrisburg Funeral Home Chapel. A celebration of her life will follow at 2 p.m. with the Reverend Joe Jimerson officiating. The interment will be in the Farm Hill Cemetery. Those wishing to leave a lasting memorial are asked to consider donations to the Farm Hill Cemetery in care of Brian Clampit, 2555 Mann Lane, Harrisburg, Arkansas 72432. Arrangements are by Jackson’s Funeral Home.
