Funeral services for Ruth Louise Parker will be 2:00 PM Thursday, July 30, 2020, at Garmany & Carden Funeral Directors Chapel, 1201 Fourth Street, Rosenberg, TX 77471 , with Dr. Donnie Melton officiating. Burial will follow at Davis Greenlawn Cemetery, Rosenberg, TX 77471.

Visitation will be 1:00 - 2:00 PM Thursday, for one hour preceding the funeral service.

Ruth Louise Parker, age 80, passed away on July 20, 2020, due to complications from diabetes. Ruth was born January 28, 1940, in Houston, Texas, to Reeves and Helen Jorden. Ruth spent her early years in Houston, Texas, Beeville, Texas, and Bellaire, Texas. She graduated from Bellaire High School in 1957. She then attended Baylor University, graduating in 1961. While at Baylor, she met Jim William Parker, whom she later married on June 3, 1961. On June 3, 2011, Ruth and Jim celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.

Ruth's (or "Wheeze" as many referred to her) passion was caring for people and music. Her hands were rarely still, either in caring for others or playing the organ or piano for churches and special events. She often accompanied the students at Lamar High School and Terry High School students who participated in various events and various solo ensembles. Ruth also gave private piano lessons at her home.

Ruth recently became a member of First Baptist Church of Buda, Texas, with prior memberships at Calvary Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, both in Rosenberg, Texas. Ruth and Jim were long-time members of the Golden Heirs Choir, where she and Jim made many friends and traveled to many places sharing the music.

Ruth's working career included a local insurance company in Rosenberg, Joy Lutheran church in Richmond, the registrar at BF Terry High School, and the family business—Parker's Rosenberg Cleaners until it was sold. Ruth then found herself caring for her father-in-law, George Parker; her husband Jim Parker; and Ruth's mother, Helen Jorden. In October of 2019, Ruth began caring for her own daughter, Jennifer Holloway, until her death on June 21, 2020. All during these years, Ruth stayed at home caring for family members, enabling them to gracefully pass away while under the care of her graceful, loving spirit. Her life was to be blessed by being a blessing to others with a giving Godly and serving spirit. Ruth's favorite scripture was Joshua 24:15, ". . . as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Ruth Parker was preceded in death by her husband Jim; by her parents, O. Reeves Jorden and Helen G. Jorden; by her father-in-law and mother in-law, George B. and Mary Parker; and her daughter, Jennifer Lynn Parker Holloway. Ruth is survived by her children Mike Parker, of Rosenberg, Texas; Tim Parker and wife, Lisa, of Ennis, Texas; and by her sister, Valerie Evans and husband, Bob, of San Luis Obispo, California; by her son-in-law, Steve Holloway, of Wimberly, Texas; by her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sylvia and Floyd Merryman; and by her sister-in-law, Susan Parker. Ruth is also survived by her grandchildren and great grandchild: Eric Parker, Jason Parker, Susie Parker, and Leon and Leah Fazzio IV; great grandson, Noah Fazzio; nephews, Randy Lane, Curtis Lane, and Curtis Olson; nieces, Lenita and Madison Merryman.

Memorial donations may be given in Ruth's memory to American Diabetes Association, 7670 Woodway Drive, Unit 230, Houston, TX 77063 , or online at www.diabetes.org/donate.