PARKER, ANNA ELIZABETH SMITH, On a beautiful spring day in April 1915, Anna Elizabeth Smith burst onto this planet in Piggott, a tiny town in northeast Arkansas. She immediately proceeded to spread joy and happiness to everyone she encountered. She continued that mission for 87 years! When her baby sister, Alice Hope, was born four years later, their exceptional parents, Clarence and Blanche Reeves Smith, realized they had their hands full! Elizabeth and Hope grew up three miles away in Kennett, Missouri, in a wholesome, loving, affirming environment, punctuated with charm and wit. This is where Elizabeth learned her value system of Christian principles and positive thinking, being taught that she could achieve anything in life to which she set her mind and for which she studied. She did. At the age of ten she discovered the boys at the First Baptist Church were cheating to beat the girls in a Bible Drill. She called them on their scandalous behavior, thus intriguing the ringleader, Garland Glenwood Parker. He pursued her through Kennett High School, where she graduated Valedictorian in 1933, while Garland graduated second in the class as Salutatorian. Even with her scholastic achievements, she found time to study piano, be a Cheerleader and play the trombone in the City Band. Elected President of her sorority in college, Elizabeth charmed her way into the hearts of her fellow students, being voted Outstanding Personality in the Senior Class at Southeast Missouri State University, where she graduated with a degree in Education in 1937. She finally accepted Garland's proposal, and they were married that year on November 14. After working in Jefferson City, MO, she moved with her husband to Sikeston, MO, and in 1941 returned to her parents' home in Kennett to birth their first child, Alice Hope Parker. Garland accepted a teaching job at the prestigious Newman School in New Orleans, LA, where their second daughter, Anne Garland Parker, was born in 1942. Elizabeth taught high school here and in her hometown in Kennett. The family later lived in Madison, WI, where Garland received his Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin. They moved to Cincinnati, OH in 1948, where he became a Professor at the University of Cincinnati. Given the times, you might think that Elizabeth became "just a housewife" and "Professor's wife". She assumed those roles, assuredly; but, she also became a leader in every aspect of her life. She was active in civic, political, social and religious arenas. She was President of the PTA at her children's schools. She taught French at Withrow High School, the New Woodward High School, where she was Senior Class Sponsor, Hughes High School and the University of Cincinnati. She served on the Board of Christian Education and taught Sunday School at Mt. Auburn Baptist Church. She entertained at home, fed students of all ages, was the "Mother" to International students and Hostess to all. There were always boyfriends and giggly girlfriends of her daughters in her home. Her door was open to everyone, regardless of race, religion or nationality. She organized events at church, was Precinct Chairperson in her neighborhood, and began a life-long relationship with a small, intellectual group of Professors' wives, lovingly known as "The Talking Club," which still meets to this day! Their only rule was that they would speak "adult" and talk about issues other than their children. Of course, they did both! In 1961, Elizabeth was Mother of the Bride when Hope married John Lathrop of Rochester, NY. Three and a half years later, their hearts were broken when they buried John, who was killed in a car accident. Joy returned in 1965 when Anne married Edward Colter of Boca Raton, FL. With both daughters gone and "off the payroll," Elizabeth and Garland resumed their honeymoon, traveling worldwide. They loved going to Europe, and while living in the Middle East, they made many lasting relationships with educators in the region. She and her husband were active members of the Westwood United Methodist Church, where they were team teachers for the Wesmates Sunday School Class. After moving to Poinciana, FL in 1987, at the age of 73, they joined the First Methodist Church in Kissimmee, where they were asked to start a Sunday School Class, which later became known as the Parker-Genesis Class. This began a happy relationship with many people whom they dearly loved. Elizabeth continued spreading her Christian love and joy through her church, her neighborhood and even to people in the hospital and Good Samaritan Health Care Center, where she peacefully left this planet on Tuesday, May 13, 2003. She had a deep belief in God and His plan of salvation through His Son, Jesus. She accepted by faith that by committing her heart and life to Him, she would spend eternity in Heaven. It was her fervent desire that everyone she knew would do likewise. God took Garland home first, because as we all know, he truly could not have lived without her. Left to mourn her passing, yet celebrate her life and its impact on them are her daughter Anne Garland Parker Colter, her son-in-law Edward J. Colter, with whom she had a wonderful relationship, both of Houston, TX; her baby sister, who grew up to become Dr. Hope Smith Daugherty and who resides in Poinciana, FL; her nieces, whom she loved like daughters, Elizabeth (Beth) Anne Daugherty and Lynn Hope Daugherty Shrewsbury, both professional career women of St. Louis, MO, and her highly respected Nuclear Physicist nephew Dr. Brett Parker of Stony Brook, NY, whose work she laughingly could not comprehend, but whom she dearly loved. If everyone whose life she touched could pass on what she taught and lived, what a wonderful world this could be! Well done, Elizabeth! We will be gathering at Grissom Funeral Home at 803 Emmett Street in Kissimmee, FL 34741 on Sunday, May 18 from 2PM-4PM for Visitation and on Monday, May 19, at 11AM at Grissom to celebrate the life of Elizabeth. Please join us. If you desire, a donation may be made to First United Methodist Church, 101 W. Dakin Ave., Kissimmee, FL 34741 for the Garland G. and Elizabeth Smith Parker Memorial Library Fund. Thank you, and a big thanks to everyone who enriched their lives. GRISSOM FUNERAL HOME, CREMATORY AND CEMETERY are in charge of arrangements. Phone 407-847-3131.