Joann Garland Parker

JoAnn G. Parker went to be with her Lord and Savior peacefully in her sleep on Christmas morning at her home. Her best Christmas ever! She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She was a member of Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church. She worked at J. P. Stevens for many years in the Personnel Department. JoAnn's life verse is "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). She said the Bible helped her most in her life with so many verses to comfort, help, encourage and strengthen her. The spiritual legacy that she would like to leave behind is that she practiced what she believed. Her most prized possession was her salvation. Her favorite song was "Amazing Grace." She was predeceased by her mother and father Clifford Jack and Nellie Ford Garland, brother Jim Garland, and sister Mary Sue Garland. Survivors include her loving husband, Fred T. Parker of Kingsport; children, Kathy Arnold (Garland) & Rick Parker of Church Hill; beloved grandchildren, Noah and Sam Parker who were the apples of her eye; three sisters, Margaret Keith (Dee); Jane Jones (Earl); and Wanda Faye Pierson (Doug); loving sister-in-law, Lula Parker Calhoun; many nephews and nieces and in-laws. She also had loving caregivers that provided her with such good care. Celebration of life service will be held Saturday, December 31, 2016 at Carter Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Bob Lewis officiating and scripture to be read by Dr. Chris Crabtree. Graveside services will be private. Pallbearers are Travis Pierson, Shane Pierson, Wes Garland, Mike Bays. Honorary Pallbearers are Noah and Sam Parker (her precious grandchildren) and Darrell Parker. Music will be provided by Martha France. In lieu of food and flowers, please send any memorial contributions to Fellowship Free Will Baptist Church, 2313 Portland Avenue in Kingsport, TN. Carter-Trent Funeral Home, downtown Kingsport, is serving the Parker family.