Parker, Elizabeth Caroline (1860-1940)

PARKER, SUMERLOTT, SHAFFER

Posted By: Carla Hillgren (email)
Date: 2/23/2019 at 18:26:50

Leon Journal-Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
Elizabeth Caroline Parker the fourth child of Samuel and Mariah Shaffer Sumerlott was born in Wapello County near Ottumwa, Iowa on November 12, 1860. Her early childhood days were spent there until her parents decided to move to Dunreath, Iowa. This was the family home until the Mother passed to the Great Beyond when Elizabeth was about 12 years of age. She then made her home with her Uncle Elias Shaffer near Pella, Iowa until she met and married Lorenzo Dow Parker on November 19, 1877. For several years they made their home near Pella and then moved to Davis City, Iowa. Later they moved to a farm near Davis City which was their home until the union was broken by the death of Mr. Parker on January 25, 1925.
To this union was born the four children: Nancy Agnes Honn, James A. Garfield, Mary Addie Turpen Sales, and a little girl dying in infancy.
On the third day of March, 1903 they adopted into their home a tiny baby boy whose mother, Elizabeth Caroline's sister, died two days after his birth. This little boy (George Alva Parker) was cared for and loved as her own child.
Several years ago, she put her faith and trust in God and joined the Pentecostal Church. She enjoyed her religion and Bible very much and they gave her much comfort in trying times.
On November 11, 1940, which was the day before her 80th birthday, she had the misfortune to accidentally fall and break her hip which resulted in her death at the Decatur County Hospital on December 3, 1940.
Grandmother Parker, as she was known, endured many hardships during her lifetime but met them bravely and smiled through it all. She was especially happy when little children were around her. She was known and loved by all.
Funeral services were held on December 5, 1940 at the Stewart Funeral Home in Leon, Iowa conducted by Rev. Charles Dobson of the Van Wert Pentecostal Church. Interment was in Bethel Cemetery.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, December of 2013