LITTLE ROCK — Ann Blair Adams Parke

died peace fully February 19, 2023. She was born in Humboldt, Tenn., on August 9, 1932, to Lloyd Senter Adams and Frances Jarrell Adams.

She attended Humboldt public schools and won the title of Queen of The Strawberry Festival her senior year of high school. Following graduation, Ann Blair attended Ward-Belmont College in Nashville, Tenn. She transferred to Vanderbilt University after her freshman year where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. She graduated in 1954 with a degree in History. While at Vanderbilt, she met Frank Herbert “Bert” Parke, Jr. They married in October of 1954, and Ann Blair moved “across the river” to Bert’s home in Little Rock where she lived the rest of her life.

Ann Blair took her first piano lesson at age four. A remarkable musician blessed with a lovely voice, she trained in opera her entire life, sang in the Christ Episcopal Church choir for over 65 years and also sang in local opera companies. In addition to her love for music and family, Ann Blair was a big fan of baseball and all things Arkansas Travelers which was fortunate since baseball was a great love of her husband’s as well. While Bert was prominent in the Travelers’ organization, Ann Blair was the true fan. She grew up listening to St. Louis Cardinals games on the radio with her father, kept score at each game, and enjoyed her baseball pals. The Parke family was a staple at the ballpark at most of the home games and Ann Blair and Bert spent many springs in Florida or Arizona at spring training. They were surrogate parents to scores of young baseball players lucky enough to play in Little Rock.

Church and faith held an important place in Ann Blair’s life. Reared in the Methodist church, Ann Blair was confirmed an Episcopalian and became a member of Christ Episcopal Church after her marriage. In addition to singing in the choir, Ann Blair was an active parishioner and lent her support to a variety of music and art programs.

Ann Blair served on the board of The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and she and Bert chaired the first Opus Ball in 1985. The success of the gala set a fundraising precedent that continues to be a premier event in the state.

Ann Blair was a member of the Junior League of Little Rock, the Aesthetic Club, and the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Arkansas, where she served in a number of capacities including President. She was a member of the Music Coterie, an active alum in Kappa Alpha Theta, sang with The Happiness Singers, and belonged to “The Sewing Club”, a circle of lifelong friends who met once a month for over 30 years. The tight knit group traveled and dined together and barely sewed a stitch.

She loved to organize trips and travel with Bert and her family and friends. Earthquakes in Mexico, lightening strikes on 747s, and delayed plans didn’t faze Ann Blairit was an adventure. She watched barge traffic and birds along the Arkansas River where they lived, loved to read, work a crossword puzzle and exercise. She graduated from LR Police Department Citizens Police Academy, a fun experience for her.

She is preceded in death by her husband in 2015, her brother Lloyd S. Adams, Jr. and two nieces.

Ann Blair is survived by her sister, Frances Adams Tipton of Nashville, Tenn.; children, Frank Herbert Parke, III and wife Paula, Emily Parke Stevens and husband Tim, John Blair Parke and wife Susan; grandchildren Mary Katherine Parke Hastings and husband Andrew, Logan Parke, Margaret Parke Staley and husband Jay, Blair Parke, Rom Robotnik and husband Tony. She is also survived by her adored greatgrandchildren Charlie and Ellen Blair Hastings, William and Andrew Staley and Jasper Robotnik; several nieces and nephews, and Rhonda Nooner. Many thanks to Rhonda for her friendship, devotion, love and support.

She tried her best to keep us in line. She loved her family and friends who loved her back and will miss her terribly.

The family is grateful for the loving care Ann Blair received from First Choice Senior Care and Arkansas Hospice. Valerie, Theresa, Rochelle, Precious, Cheryl and Alice made her last years special and comfortable. Frank and John particularly want to thank Emily for managing our mother’s care over the past several years.

The family will greet friends from 57 p.m. Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at Ruebel Funeral Home. Funeral will be held Thursday, February 23 at Christ Episcopal Church at 11 a.m., followed by burial at Roselawn Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Christ Episcopal Church 509 Scott Street, Little Rock, Ark., 72201. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.