Marie Latourette Parker

MARIE LATOURETTE PARKER of Jonesboro died Friday, January 15th, 2010. Marie was born in Jonesboro on January 11th, 1927. She was the daughter of Pierre Michael Latourette also a lifetime Jonesboro resident, and Werdna Mae Pollett Latourette.

Marie married Herbert J. Parker in 1948 and they raised three children while she and Herb pursued many business ventures including the development of the “Birdland” neighborhood in what was then the outskirts of East Jonesboro starting in 1957. Marie was very active in many volunteer and philanthropic organizations including PEO, the St. Barnard’s Hospital Auxiliary, Daughters of the American Revolution, served as a Red Cross Volunteer and was a member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Marie will be remembered for her commitment and devotion to her family. Her many passions included teaching her children and grandchildren the skills involved in intense games of Mexican Dominoes and the art of preparing Latourette family Hot Tamales using dried corn shucks specially ordered from Mexico. She also cherished her time with her true and enduring friends over many hours of Bridge.

Marie was preceeded in death by her husband, her brothers Pierre and Harry and her sister Anita. Survivors include sons Michael (Mike) and wife Ruth of Little Rock, Herbert (Bert) and wife Robin of Little Rock and J. Matthew (Matt) and wife Tracey of Jonesboro. Grandchildren include Mike and Ruth’s sons Edward, wife Lori and their daughter Ella, and Andrew, wife Camille and son Benjamin; Bert and Robin’s sons David and Jordan; and Matt and Tracey’s children Jennifer, John Matthew, Sarah and Olivia. Other family members include her niece Claire Parker Nix, Chris Parker and their families.

In lieu of Flowers, the family asks that consideration be given to donations to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 531 West College Ave, Jonesboro, and the St. Barnard’s Foundation Hospice Fund, 400 East Street, Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Burial will be graveside at 11:00 am Monday at Holy Cross Cemetery with the Rev. Jesse Perkins officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. The family will have a reception following the service at the family home. The family wishes to express their gratitude and sincere appreciation to Marie’s caregivers and the St. Bernard's Hospice nurses for their help and support through this brief illness.

Sons and grandsons will serve as pallbearers with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

To sign an online guestbook, go to www.emersonfuneralhome.com.