July 12, 1936 –  April 17, 2014  On April 17, 2014, just before 9:00 p.m., Chilitia “Ann” Parker slipped peacefully from this life to receive her heavenly reward. Her wishes were met, as she passed without suffering, her precious daughter Paula at her side.Ann was born July 12, 1936 to Bennie and Pearl Stephenson in Whitesboro, Texas. As a small child she was preceded in death by her mother, Pearl. Later, Bennie married Rose Stephenson who became Ann’s mother through the most significant portion of Ann’s life.
Ann attended school in Whitesboro where she graduated. After graduation, she joined the workforce and worked many jobs throughout her life. She was in retail a significant portion of her life where her magnetic and effervescent personality served her well.
On November 3, 1964, Ann married Mac William Parker of Healdton, Oklahoma. They were married in Gainesville by Rev. J.R. Smallwood in a small private ceremony. They resided in Whitesboro where Mac worked in the oilfield and Ann set about making their small house on Union Street a home. In September of 1965 Ann gave birth to their only child, a little girl named Paula Michele. It was immediately apparent that Ann was forever committed to loving and caring for the small baby girl as she never went a day without worrying over and blessing Paula.
Except for short stays in Duncanville, Texas and in Whitesboro, Ann was a lifelong resident of Gainesville. Working at several local businesses, she used her radiant personality and love of life to amass an incredible amount of friends and acquaintances. Never meeting a stranger was a way of life for Ann.
Music was at the center of her interests. She enjoyed listening to live bands, dancing and singing karaoke. She was a good dancer and had just been enjoying a practice session of her favorite local band and dancing to their music the night she was stricken with the illness that eventually extinguished her vivacious life. It was rare to see her not being active and enjoying life, and in fact, worked occasionally for friends who owned a local cafe.
Ann was preceded in death by her mother Pearl Glass Stephenson of Whitesboro; father, Bennie Kyle Stephenson of Whitesboro; stepmother, Rose Stephenson of Whitesboro; nephew, Jamie Womack of Whitesboro and her husband of 49 years, Mac William Parker of Healdton OK and later of Gainesville. She is survived by her only daughter, Paula Michele Clements and her husband Johnny Duane Clements of Gainesville; a sister, Patsy Womack of Whitesboro and nieces, Jaci Baze of Sherman and Jeana Arnold of Colbert, OK.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Saturday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Hollis Parsons officiating. Join family and friends for this celebration of a life well lived.