BENTON — Janice Mackey Parker,
87, of Benton, died peacefully Thursday, February 6, 2020, at Saline Memorial Hospice House in Bryant, Ark. She was born July 2, 1932, in Arkadelphia, Ark., to J.R. and Marjorie Batchelor Mackey. A homemaker and the widow of Robert E. Parker, who passed away March 13, 1986.
She was also preceded in death by great-grandchildren, Parker and Fisher Vinson. She is survived by her four children, Robert E. (Vickie) Parker of Fayetteville; Randy H. Parker and Lisa Parker Hester, of Benton: and Jana Parker Rouble, of Dallas, Texas; her sisters, Bobbie (Jim) Mackey Baker of Paris, Texas; June (Ralph) Mackey Sullivan of Romance, Ark.; and Kay Gilbert of Douglasville, Ga. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Amy (Sheldon) Parker Vinson; Chad (Lindsey) Parker, Crista Parker Anderson; Lacey (Vince) Hester Lancaster; Steele and Reagan Rouble; eight great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Allie, Cade, Isaac, Lizzy, Addye, Parker and Paisley. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Doug Inman, and by her aunt and uncle who raised her, Robert H. and Adelyn Harris.
She was a graduate of Benton High School, attended Henderson State University, and a longtime member of Benton First United Methodist Church, where she taught Sunday School during the time her children were young. She also was a past member of the Administrative Board, a church wedding hostess and sang in the Chancel Choir.
A charter member of the historic Gann Museum and also the 1852 Shoppach House Museum, she also was a member of the Talisman Club and received the honor of 1984 and 1985 Poet Laureate from the Poets’ Roundtable of Arkansas.
A celebration of her life will be held in the Chapel of Ashby Funeral Home, 108 W. Narroway St., Benton, Ark., at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 10, with burial to follow at Pine Crest Memorial Park, 7401 Highway 5 N, Alexander, as she is put to final rest in the area known as the Garden of Devotion. Visitation will be 6 p.m. till 7 p.m. on Sunday, February 9, at Ashby Funeral Home in Benton, Arkansas. Longtime friend Rev. Shari Leech Day will be officiating. Memorials may be made to the Gann Museum, the Shoppach House, Benton First United Methodist Church or any charity of your choosing.
The family would like to express their thanks to the staff at Saline Memorial Hospice House (March 2019 – February 2020), the staff at Mr. Carmel Assisted Living (November 2014 – January 2019) and to the friend and caregiver Pat Neighbors Griffin for their loving care of Mrs. Janice. Online guestbook at www.ashbyfuneralhome.com.