Mary Carter Parker

On Tuesday August 6th 2019, Mary Carter Parker completed her mortal time on this earth after having lived for 103 years. At the time of her passing she was living in the Sunridge Assisted Care facility in Layton, Utah. Her passing was the result of natural causes.

She was born July 5, 1916 in the community of Epworth, Post Office Ninety Six, in Greenwood County South Carolina to Jesse & Sarah Butler Carter. She was the third of ten children: Grace Aldridge, Myra Stewart, Mary Parker, Dorothy Huntsman, LaRue Lineberry, Jesse Carter, Thomas Carter, Laura Carter, Josephine Davis, and Carma Prows.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, her spouse Archie Parker, a granddaughter (Gayleen Kirkham), son-in-law (Gary Kirkham) and all of her siblings and their spouses except for Dorothy Huntsman, Josephine Davis and Joe Prows (Carma). She is also survived by her children: Nona Kirkham (Gary - deceased), Dennis Parker (Julie), Mary Ann Holden (Brent) and Kent Parker (Jane), 14 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 4 great great-grandchildren.

Mary grew up in the south, living in South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia. In June of 1938 she arrived in Salt Lake City Utah and made her first trip to the Bear Lake Valley accompanied by Archie Parker. She wrote in her history “we came into Bear Lake through the lovely, scenic Logan Canyon. Archie wanted me to have my first view of Bear Lake Valley by seeing the beautiful Bear Lake from the summit of Logan Canyon above Garden City. As we approached the “look out” he had me close my eyes and when we were in a position to get a grand view of the size of the Lake and its surroundings he told me to open them. It was an unexpected spectacular sight. He had casually mentioned Bear Lake at

times but had never mentioned its size. He said he had always wanted to introduce me to Bear Lake Valley this way, as he always had a deep love for the valley and wanted me to love it too.”

On July 28th 1938 she was married to Archie Parker in the Salt Lake City Temple by Elder Charles A. Callas of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, who had become a close friend of the Carters while serving as Mission President of the southern states. After their marriage they returned to the Bear Lake Valley, living on Lanark Road. At the age of 90, because of health issues, she could no longer live by herself and thus moved in with Mary Ann Holden at Border Wyoming, which is located 30 miles from her home in Lanark. In May of this year it became necessary to relocate her to an assisted care facility in Layton Utah, located in the same Stake as her oldest daughter Nona Kirkham.

Mary was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She served in numerous callings and supported her beloved mate in all of his callings.  At age 13 she was called to teach the "Primary" class in Sunday school, which included all the children 8 years old and younger. She had a special talent and love for music and served in many positions that capitalized on this talent. Mary met Archie while he was serving a mission in the southern states. In 1979 she and Archie served a mission in the Vancouver British Columbia Mission. Missionary work has always been a very important part of Mary’s life from the time that her parents were converted when she was four years old to the very end of her life as she shared the mission experiences of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Another great love for her was genealogy work. She progressed from a hands on writing and typing of genealogy information to the proficient use of a computers in her great desire to identify her ancestry and have the redeeming ordnances performed for them.

Mary had a deep love for her family and always enjoyed visits with her children, grandchildren, and her and Archie’s large extended family. We are grateful for all those that were able to visit her when she moved to Layton. She knew and acknowledged her family right up to the end and we are sure she is rejoicing in seeing and visiting those loved ones on the other side.

In her history she said “Our children and grandchildren and their companions and our great-grand-children are all special jewels, each with special talents and abilities and should I start listing them I don’t know when I would reach an end to this history. They just keep adding to my joy and appreciation for them the longer I live. We are so grateful for each of them, for their love and the choice people they are.

My daily prayer is that we will continue to love and help one another always and strengthen each other in our love for and faith and trust in our Heavenly Father and the Savior. We know they possess all wisdom, knowledge, power and love. The Savior created this beautiful world and all that is in it, under the direction of Heavenly Father, so we can have a blessed and happy experience here as we learn to endure and progress through the joys, sorrows, trials and tests of mortality and have the opportunity to train this earthly body to become like the Savior. He has told us “What manner of men ought ye to be? Even as I am”.

Because of His perfect life and example He knows the Eternal joys and true Happiness that can be ours if we strive to become like Him. Through His example, loving Commandments, and Atoning Sacrifice He has provided the way, if we will only strive to follow it.”

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 10, 2019, at 10 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints chapel, 628 South Angel Street Layton, Utah. Friends may visit with family from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment at the Lanark Idaho Cemetery.

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