Gma gave me a home. So long as the rent was on time, and I treated her daughter well. She made it easier by charging me 1980’s rates, and having a daughter that doesn’t put up with any crap.
She was a living example of someone that loved you by being honest with you and requiring you to be honest with her. She judged your character by simply listening to you, and watching what you did. That’s also how she showed her love: by what she did. Gma helped just about every member of her family at one time or another. Many others, who may not have been family by blood, were treated as family and shown that same brand of love.
Ethel taught us all that if you want something in life, and are willing to sacrifice, and work hard, you can do it. She expected that from others, because that’s exactly how she did it. Simple as that.
Personally, I knew she loved me when she trusted me to cut our yards with her beloved John Deere riding mower, aptly named “Ethel”. It will forever bear her name on the hood. She loved making her yard look nice. She enjoyed being outside, in the fresh air, and getting things done “her way”. She spent over three decades working at Porter Cable, in Jackson, and hard work was part of her character. It wasn’t until the past few years that she had not been able to do some of the work she held so dear, as she passed into her seventies. She still held onto the role of supervisor, and I was sure to hear about any shortcuts she noticed me taking in the lawn care. Nobody could do it like Gma did it. It would’ve taken a crew of six people to get it done right. Like Gma did it.
She taught me that when life gets tough, we just have to straighten up and walk right. Just like she did.
Thank you, Gma, for everything. We will hear you in our heads every day, for the rest of our lives, and I’ll be proud to listen. And I’ll try to walk right. I love you, Gma.
Ethel Mae Franks Parker
August 22, 1946-December 26, 2023
Ethel Mae Franks Parker was born on 8/22/46 in Collinswood, TN to the late Ralph and Lillie Mae Franks.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Max Parker and a brother James Franks.
She is survived by daughters Donna [Mike] Trull, from Albany Ga. And daughter Laura [Kevin] Stone, from Humboldt Tn, sister Kathy [Larry] Erwin from Lavinia, TN, brother John Jr [Brenda] Franks from Medina, TN and Hobert Franks from Medina, Tn.
She had 5 grandsons Jon [Tasha] Murphy, from Denver CO, Cody [Connie] Bishop from Gibson, TN, Joseph [Franklin] Trull from Albany, Ga, Matthew Trull from Albany, Ga and Tyler [Robin] Trull from Manchester, Connecticut. She had one great grandson Cayde Stone Bishop, from Gibson TN.
She left a multitude of nieces, nephews and bonus grandchildren and great grandchildren that she loved very much.
She was known by many names…Gma, Sissy, Cornelia and Nellie.
Ethel accepted Jesus Christ as her lord and savior as a young child at Latham’s Baptist Church. Later she became a member of Smyrna Baptist Church.
She retired from Porter Cable after more than thirty years of service. She was a loyal member of the Porter Cable Retiree Group and rarely missed their monthly meals together. Ethel loved fellowship with her old coworkers and friends.
Ethel Parker (Gma) made my life better in many ways. First and foremost, by giving me Laura Gail. She raised a woman that won my heart by being strong, self-sufficient, opinionated, with a unique sense of humor and a strong work ethic. In all of those ways, she is just like her mother.
Her work ethic was unparalleled, and I believe it’s fair to say that hard work was a big part of her own “love language”. She believed that a job worth doing was worth doing right.
Before, and after, retirement, Ethel loved to be outside working in her yard and growing flowers.
She loved everyone and always helped people. Ethel held herself to a high standard and helped raise the standards of those around her. She donated to many charitable organizations.
She was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Rolling Stones 