Marietta Parker

“O love of God, how rich and pure! How measureless and strong! It shall forevermore endure the saints’ and angels’ song!”, The Love of God by F. M. Lehman

Marietta Parker’s last breath came quietly in the early hours of Saturday, September 6, 2025, at her Buffalo Creek apartment in Waxahachie, Texas. During the prior weeks, she had gone about her business as usual, calling her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to sing her annual and highly-anticipated rendition of “Happy Birthday” on the phone. No one’s birthday was complete until that call came. A service in celebration of her extraordinary life will be held on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Belton, 506 N. Main St., Belton, Texas, followed by family welcoming guests. Her longtime friend and cohort, Charlie Robinson, will officiate. A viewing will be offered on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. at Dossman Funeral Home, 2525 N. Main St., Belton.

Willie Marietta Vickrey was born in Wortham, Texas, on October 29, 1925, to Will (Smiley) and Lola Wood Vickrey. On that day, another Wortham newborn could be found, just across the railroad tracks and a mile down the road. His name was Bobby. They would meet 21 years later.

By 1929, the family had moved to Kosse, near her grandparents, where her brother Leroy was born. Soon after, they moved to Mexia, where she attended the Mexia public schools. The Great Depression was in full gear and they were fortunate that her father was always able to find work. When she was 14, her dad built their house on McKinney St., where her parents resided for another 40 years.

Marietta graduated from Mexia High School in May of 1943. In May of 1946, she graduated as Valedictorian of Westminster Junior College in Tehuacana with an Associate of Arts. Soon after graduation, she was spotted selling tickets at the Mexia picture show by a young sailor just home from his wartime service, Bobby Parker. He said it was love at first sight for him. She was not quite that impetuous, but he persevered, and they were married on September 1, 1946.

While Bobby was the head football coach at Mexia High School, their first son, Bobby, Jr., was born in January of 1949. Son Mark followed six years later in January of 1955.

In 1957, the little family moved to Brownwood where Bobby was named Dean of Students at Howard Payne College. Marietta completed her education there and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business in May of 1959. The following Fall, they moved to Waco where Bobby went to work in the administration office at Baylor University. He worked his way into a teaching position in the Baylor Physical Education department. She put her degree to use by teaching typing and bookkeeping at Waco High School. Many a draft-eligible young man was recruited to her typing class with the promise that, if they would let her teach them to type and they were drafted into the Army, they would never see the front lines. Her teaching made it possible for Bobby to work on his doctorate, which she typed, edited, and undoubtedly shared her opinions. She would always speak fondly about their ten years in Waco. They developed many lifelong friendships with people they met at Baylor and Columbus Avenue Baptist Church.

In the summer of 1969, Marietta, Bobby and Mark moved to Belton. Bobby, Jr., married Kathy Blackburn in September of that year and was attending Baylor University. Bobby (now Dr. Bobby E. Parker, Sr.) had accepted the position of Vice-President at Mary Hardin-Baylor College. Marietta retired from teaching in order to devote herself to Bobby’s endeavors. In 1971, Bobby was named President of the college. They served as President and First Lady for the next 20 years. During their tenure, MHB became a co-educational college and advanced to university status. These transitions did not come easily, but the outcomes were rewarding. Through it all, Marietta was Bobby’s closest confidante and advisor. She would say that her primary career in life was as First Lady. She would also add that it was a non-paying position. She loved it and the faculty and students loved her. She crocheted an afghan for every faculty member’s child when they got married. Entertainment was her forte’, whether it was for faculty, students, governors or local and foreign dignitaries, they and their spouses were equally welcomed.

Mark married Ann Becker in late December of 1977. One week later, Bobby, Jr., and Kathy introduced Bryce into the world and Marietta (now Grammy) found her next new purpose in life– grandmother. By the end of 1983 she had six grandchildren who she adored. Mark and Ann lived in Midland, but that was never too far to attend a recital, concert or ball game. Bobby, Jr., and Kathy lived in Odessa, Sweetwater, then Graham. Their boys never lacked for Grammy’s attention either. She made every effort to bring the grandkids together. Every summer they would get a week at “Camp Grammy.” She would keep two or three of the kids at a time to swim, attend Belton’s 4 th of July events, or maybe a side trip to New Orleans. Lake houses at Lake Belton and Possum Kingdom were regular meeting spots. To have been able to watch and be a part of her grandchildren’s growing up, the graduations and weddings, and to see them all become good moms and dads, husbands and wife, was more than she could have ever expected. She thought her 12 great-grandchildren were amazing and felt blessed that she had lived long enough to know them and for them to know her.

Bobby died on December 16, 1999, after 53 years of marriage. Their life together was a series of adventures. Travel had become a major part of their retirement. By the time of his passing (including UMHB-related travel), they had visited all 50 states, 30 countries: Israel, Greece, Japan 3 times, to name a few, and experienced 20 cruises. Not bad for a couple of Depression kids from Mexia.

In her memoir, she stated that her preferred epitaph would say “She loved her Lord, her family and friends with all her heart and soul.” To this end, she excelled, just as her Lord, family and friends loved and cherished her. As daughter, wife, mother, mother-in-law, Grammy, sister, aunt, teacher, Sunday School teacher, and First Lady, she gave it all she had.

She was a member of the Alpha Chi, Kappa Delta Pi and Delta Kappa Gamma sororities. She was also a long-time member of the Woman’s Wednesday Club of Belton. In 1972 she was recognized as an Honorary Alumna of Mary Hardin-Baylor College. For eleven years she served on the “Absolutely Incredible Kids” luncheon committee for the Bell County Campfire Boys & Girls organization. She held her church membership at the First Baptist Church of Belton for over 55 years.

Marietta was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Bobby, granddaughter Hayley Ann Parker, and brother, Leroy Vickrey.

She is survived by her sons, Dr. Bobby E. Parker, Jr. and wife, Kathy, of Waxahachie, and Mark Parker and wife, Ann, of Dallas; grandchildren: Bryce Parker and wife, Courtney, of Waxahachie, Matthew Parker and wife, Rachel, of Katy, Koye Parker and wife, Brooke, of Waxahachie, Andrew Parker and wife ,Emily, Christian Parker and wife, Lindsey, and Kaitlin Campbell and husband, Brian, all of Dallas; and twelve great-grandchildren: Griffin Khoury, Chase and Hayes Parker; Riann and Reese Parker, Caroline, Samantha and Madden Parker; Parker and Hayley Campbell; and, Briggs and Boone Parker.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Marietta’s caregivers, the staffs at Buffalo Creek and Traditions Health (Hospice). Words can’t express our appreciation for the care, attention and friendship she received over the years from Jerry and Vicky Bawcom and Marc and Betty Anderson.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.