Ava Mae Parker

December 4, 1931 - August 4, 2015

Lyford, TX Ava Mae Parker, 83, of Lyford, Texas, was called home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at her home in Lyford, Texas. Ava was born onDecember 4, 1931 in Knott, Texas to Johnnie and Ruby Airhart. She was married to her loving husband, Alton Parker, on March 1, 1948. Ava was preceded in death by her father, Johnnie Airhart, her mother, RubyAirhart, her husband, Alton Parker, her daughter, Kathryn Ann Bates, and her brother, Jack Airhart. She is survived by her sons: Harold (Brenda) Parker ofLyford and John (Pam) Parker of Sinton; son-in-law: Larry Bates of Lyford; brothers: Shortie (Anne) Airhart of Meridian, Mississippi, and Arthur Airhart of Brownsville; grandchildren: Bryan (Kim) Parker, Steven (Lisa) Parker, Andrew(Heather) Parker, Cari (Doug) Ames, Justin (Brandi) Bates, Dustin Tullos, Allison (Aaron) Lemos, Randy Tullos, and Caleb Parker; and great grandchildren:Hudson, Toby, Morgan, Nathan, Casey, Micah, Hayden, Noah, Derek, Emily,Jacob, Joshua, Joseph, Hudson, Addison, Chevy, and Avaleigh. Ava was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Alton and Ava made their living as farmers in Willacy County, Texas. Throughout theirfarming career, Ava served as a homemaker and bookkeeper. After Alton passed in 1998, Ava began her second career working as secretary for the First Baptist Church in Lyford. She retired from that position in January of 2015. In all that she did, Ava strived to give God and her family her very best. She loved Jesus, and that love was reflected in the way that she lived her life and in the way that she influenced those in her midst. Ava has always been a reflection of God’s grace and His love. Ava’s memorial service will be held on Friday, August 7, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Corner of 2nd and Gulf Streets, Lyford, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church - P.O. Drawer G, Lyford, TX 78569. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Duddlesten Funeral Home; 604 W. Hidalgo Ave, Raymondville, TX 78580; (956) 689-2151