The Life of JOYCE ANN PARKER
Joyce was married on July 24, 1954, to John (Jack) Parker, and they built a beautiful life together. They were blessed with six loving children. She retired from Prairie Meadows in Altoona, where she gained many friends and was fondly referred to as Mom or Mother by many of those she worked with. Joyce dearly loved spending time with her family, extended family, and friends. She particularly enjoyed the Christmas season with the beautiful decorations and lights. Joyce was very proud of earning her GED in 1976, after many years of being out of the school environment. She was a beautiful, loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to all who knew her, and will be sorely missed.
Joyce is survived by her loving husband, Jack Parker, their children Dennis (Cathy) Parker, Denise Parker, Carol (Richard) Kisner, Scott (Candy) Parker, Darla Parker, and Carla Parker; honorary son, Jason Smith; her sisters Ruth Barr, Jeanette (Bud) Dale, and Sandy (Ed) Jones; brother Bob (Marilyn) Lindsey, 11 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren; as well as many nieces, nephews, and many much-loved extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, Orabelle Lindsey, Betty Hick, and Thelma Hick, and brothers George Lindsey, Jr., Ted Lindsey, Dean Chamblee, and Glen Lindsey.
A memorial visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, November 14, 2012, at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens at 121 NW 60th Avenue in Des Moines, IA. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, November 15, 2012, at the same location.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Taylor House Hospice and/or the Altoona Fire Department, in loving memory of Joyce. Joyce’s family would like to send a special thank you to the Altoona Fire Department paramedics, to whom they credit, based on their swift and appropriate care, with allowing the family to spend some especially valuable time with Joyce prior to her death.
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2018.03.21
My Mother
The pain never goes away. I miss my mom so very much. I went up to the hospital last week to say good-bye to Mom's sister Ruth. That was really hard, as it looked like my mom in that hospital bed. Ruth passed on March 16, 2018. I went to her funeral yesterday. That too was hard. Just thinking that only 1 sibling out of 10 is still with us, that being Sandy Jones, I cannot imagine how that makes Sandy feel. Mom's siblings that have passed are Ruth Barr, Thelma Hick, George Lindsey (or Junior as we all called him), Glenn Lindsey, Betty Hick, Robert Lindsey, Ora Belle Lindsey, Ted Lindsey and Jeannette Dale. Nearly an entire generation. Makes me sad.
It also makes me happy that they were a part of all our lives, with the exception of Ora Belle and Glenn, as they passed before I was born. I can see them all dancing, singing and laughing in heaven! I love you Mom and my heart aches that you are not here.
2019.09.18
A Letter to My Mom
Mom, It's going on 7 years since you left this earth and not a day goes by that I don't think of you. I am living with Dad because I don't want him to be living alone. He is doing pretty well consisdering he is now on dialysis and has prostate cancer and as of yesterday, he has started taking insulin shots for his diabetes. I learned very early on that we have to let Dad do his own thing...yes, he is still as stubborn at 84 as he always was. But I swear, that is why he is doing as well as he is. Still goes up to Hy-Vee as often as he can to have coffee with the guys. He comes home and fixes his own breakfast...fried eggs and potatos. Fixes his own lunch and mostly fixes his own dinner. It's hard for me to eat at 4:30 pm and he got a little testy when I fixed dinner and didn't eat at the same time. Prefers to drive himself to dialysis. I think the hormone shots for the cancer is making him more talkative (I smile at that one for sure). You would be proud of him too - he does his own laundry. I did his laudry once and he threw a little fit..."You don't need to be doing my laundry!". So, I just let him do it. My thought is him getting up to do laundry, fix his meals, do his dishes, empty the dishwasher, etc., keeps him moving. Which is good! He has relinquished the mowing to Scott.. I'm glad. He misses you too!
Your grandchildren are doing well. You have had a few more great grandchildren since you left, and I'm sure you are happy about that! I know you are watching down on us. The great grandkids are growing like little weeds! I know my grandchildren are the light of my eyes! I so love spending time with them anytime I can. I understand now why you were so proud of your grandchildren and wanted them around you. There is nothing better to hear..."Grandma..." and they all come running. They are all so smart and doing very well in school. I really had a good chuckle when Trenton called me and told me he got a letter for academics and said "I don't know what I did to get that, but it's cool".
Anyway, I sure miss you momma. There are so many times I wish I could talk with you instead of just to you. I've needed your advice and a hug or two. I still cry now and then because I miss you so. The other day I saw Sheryl Schmitt and she was taken aback by how much I look just like you. Boy do I. Every now and then I hear your giggle, your laugh and I say something and I am taken aback because you are coming through me. Now I put a big grin on my face when that happens because I am proud to be your daughter and proud there is so much of you in me. I love you mom and I know I will be with you again.
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