Dorothy Jean Shaw Parker

Dorothy Jean Shaw Parker passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at Hendrick Hospice Care. Her four surviving children held her hands as she left a life well lived here on earth and joined her other two children, David and Nancy, and others that had gone before her in heaven. A memorial service celebrating her remarkable life will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, May 16, 2011, at the First Baptist Church in Abilene with Dr. Robert Sloan officiating; assisted by Dr. Phil Christopher. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 15, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Born July 14, 1922, in Lamesa, TX, Dottie was the daughter of the late Millard and Bertha (Taylor) Shaw and moved to Abilene in 1927. At five years old, she started singing with her sister Geraldine (Gerri) Shaw Weatherby. They won competitions early in life and in 1935 won the Chevrolet Amateur Contest. In the late 30's, she sang in a trio with sister, Gerri, and Rosalie Grimes on a Sunday afternoon program at the Hilton Hotel radio station. In 1945, NBC offered them a professional recording contract. She chose to devote her life to family and children instead. Dottie graduated from Abilene High School in 1939 where she was the first freshman ever elected as Flashlight Queen and was Roadshow Princess for three years. She graduated from Hardin-Simmons University in 1942 with a degree in music theory. She was vice-president of HSU Freshman Class; president of Cowgirls her senior year; substitute White Horse rider, Who's Who in 1942, and in Players and Acapella Choir. In 1972, she completed her Masters of Education at HSU. After college graduation, Dottie taught music at Abilene High School for three years where other teachers often confused her with the students because she was so young. She was with the Abilene Independent School District for 25 years. The first five, she taught children with learning disabilities at Dyess Elementary School; then for 19 years she served as a favorite early childhood and special education supervisor, mentoring and coaching teachers. She was passionate about the uniqueness of each student and helping them reach their full potential. Just a few days shy of 76 years, Dottie's First Baptist Church membership had been the longest in the church's history. She served as a deacon since 2002; founding Program Board Member of GLO (God's Little Ones) Daycare; taught three-year-old Sunday School for 25 years, directed children's choirs, sanctuary choir member for 55 plus years, member of the church organ committee, personnel committee, and vice president of WMU (Women's Missionary Union). At HSU, she served as a member of the Alumni Board and Board of Development; and patroness of SAI, women's music fraternity. She received the Keeter Alumni Service Award in 2004, the highest honor bestowed upon an alumnus. In the Abilene community, she was a longstanding member and former president of the Harmony Club; served with Habitat for Humanity from 1991-1998 and interviewed applicants for homes; longstanding member of Junior League of Abilene and was a Master Gardener. She also sang in the Garden Gate Quartet for the first fundraiser for West Texas Rehabilitation Center. Even in her mid-eighties she spent her days providing homemade bread and desserts to friends and shut-ins. She was preceded in death by her parents Millard and Bertha Shaw; her siblings Millard Shaw, Jr., Guy W. Shaw, and Gerri Shaw Weatherby; her husband of 59 ½ years, James (Jimmy) Parker, Jr.; and two children, David Shaw Parker and Nancy Jean Parker. Husband Jimmy was the "Southwest Stockman" covering farming and ranching news for KTXS-TV and radio stations for 40 years. Dottie is survived by four children - Cynthia (Cindy) Parker Parker, Dr. James (Jim) Parker, III, Susan Parker Montalvo, and Dr. Elizabeth Jo Parker; David's wife and daughter-in-law DeLynn Speck Parker. She also was most proud of all of her nine grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. She treated all the grandchildren as her favorite. She loved making popcorn balls and chocolate pies for them. She always attended as many of their programs and special events as possible. Her greatest joy was being surrounded by her children and extended family. Her love of family revolved around church and gathering family as often as possible. Her famous Sunday dinners welcomed everyone and is a tradition carried on today by her children. She never met a stranger and saw the good in all, taking a special interest in each person. From widows, college students, newly marrieds, singles and anyone who needed a family, Dottie "adopted" them all. We have been blessed and strengthened by her presence, joy of life and unconditional love. Her love and legacy will affect generations and we cannot imagine a world without her in it. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dorothy J. Shaw Parker Endowed Music Scholarship at Hardin-Simmons University, PO Box 16100, Abilene, TX, 79698