Florence Van Parker was born November 14, 1938, in Tutwiler, Mississippi to the union of Willie Lee and Carrie Mae Watson. Florence was the oldest of 7 children, 5 of them preceded her in death (Charles Watson, Joyce Ann Harris, Freddie L. Johnson, Lavern Watson, and Willie Lee Watson Jr.) Her mother and father also preceded her in death.

She completed her high school education in Blytheville, Arkansas and later moved to Dallas, Texas, where she met the love of her life, Johnny Lee Parker, and they were happily married for 48 years before he preceded her in death.

Florence worked many years in retail and retired from JC Penney. After retiring, she decided to pursue her passion of opening a child daycare center in her home. She did this for many years and those kids grew to love and adore her as she did the same. She confessed Christ in her life at an early age and was a member of Griggs Chapel Baptist Church.

Florence leaves behind to cherish her memories, her loving daughter, Sherry Austin, a wonderful son-in-­law, Gregory Austin, two granddaughters, Jade Nicole Lampkin and Taylor Austin, whom she loves more than life itself. Her beautiful sister, Ruth Allen (Beverly and Clem Maddox), brothers-in-law Arthur Lee Williams (Vanessa) and Gilbert Ray Williams, sister-in­ law Retha Watson, as well as a host of nieces and nephews who she adores spending time with, great nieces and nephews, extended family and special friends.

Click this link to visit Florence's Personal Remembrance Page to share your cherished memories and upload photos of your time with her.