Helen Louise Shelton Parker

Helen Louise Shelton Parker, 90, of Jonesboro died Tuesday, Dec. 25, 2012 at Craighead County Nursing Center. Helen was born July 31, 1922 to Guy Shelton and Vesta Meeks Shelton of Jonesboro. Helen graduated from Jonesboro High School and Jonesboro Business College. In 1942, she married William Elliotte (Bill) Parker and they raised four daughters while living in Jonesboro. Helen is predeceased by her husband, Bill; three brothers, Guy Sanford Shelton, William (Bill) T. Shelton and Richard Shelton; and her youngest daughter, Jan Louise Parker West. Survivors include her daughters, Anne Shelton Parker of Little Rock, Ark., Peggy Parker Darouse and her husband, Dick, of Jonesboro and Joyce Parker Whitfield of Hot Springs, Ark. She is also survived by six grandchildren including Richard Todd Darouse and his wife, Dana, of Bentonville, Ark., Leigh Anne Darouse Chitmon of Bentonville, Ark., Adam Parker Ritchey of Fayetteville, Ark., Joy Elizabeth Ritchey of Little Rock, Parker Elliot Richardson and his wife, Lindsay, of Paris, France and Clark William Richardson and his wife, Rachel, of Southaven, Miss.; 10 great-grandchildren include Kailey Elizabeth Chitmon and Austin Allen Chitmon of Bentonville, Richard Tyler Darouse of Slidell, La., Raleigh Trace Darouse and Taegan Faye Darouse of Bentonville, Jackson Thomas Ritchey of Fayetteville, Daniel Elliot Richardson, Kennedy Taylor Richardson and Ally Malone Richardson of Paris France; and Zoe Adele Richardson of Southaven. Additional survivors include: sisters-in-law Doris Shelton of Trumann, Ark. and Dixie Shelton of Little Rock, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and many special friends. Helen was a woman of many talents and strengths and loved her family, her church and her many friends. Helen lived a full life and up until recent years was a very active member of First United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. Her life was filled with many blessings for which she gave full credit to her Lord Jesus Christ. She faced many adversities in her life, culminating with a debilitating stroke, always relying on her strong religious faith to carry her through. Helen loved the beauty of God's world and in earlier years was an active member of the Jonesboro Garden Club and the Finesse and Wheat bridge clubs. She loved working in the yard, playing golf and bridge, using her sewing and needlework skills, her artwork and traveling. She was a great organizer and used her skills very well in her years of employment. Her working years included owning a fabric store, working in an abstract company, assisting in the family drugstore, The Royal Pharmacy, holding positions of church secretary, church youth director and hospital administrator secretary, wedding coordinator, interior designer, and being a successful real estate agent. Lastly, she was able to develop her passion for water color painting after raising her family and dealing with the losses of her husband, Bill, and youngest daughter, Jan. She was among the first group of ladies to organize the Jonesboro Art League, now known as the Northeast Arkansas Visual Arts League, by serving on numerous committees and holding several offices. Her custom water color paintings of many beautiful homes and historic landmarks are treasured by numerous individuals and families throughout Arkansas and elsewhere. Her other favorite subjects to paint were the family pets, beautiful landscapes and flowers. Helen left her mark on the many lives she touched. She will be long remembered as a woman of strong faith who lived her life with determination, was a survivor regardless of her life's pathway and one who had a deep love for her family and friends. The family wishes to thank the nursing staff of Craighead County Nursing Center for their outstanding care for nearly four years. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012 at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church, 801 S. Main St., Jonesboro, Ark. with the Reverend John Miles II officiating. All other services will be private with Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. To sign an online guest book, go to emersonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to First United Methodist Church, Jonesboro, 801 S. Main Street, Jonesboro, Ark. 72401 or the Northeast Arkansas Visual Arts League.