THOMAS WILLIAM PARKER

 

     Thomas William Parker, b July 13, 1872 at White Hall, Bell County, Texas, d August 3, 1953 in Marlin, Falls County, Texas and buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Marlin - was a son of Tom and Catherine (Baity) Parker, of Tennessee and Louisiana, respectively.

     On October 15, 1912, Thomas William Parker (called "Tom") was married at Highbank, Falls County, Texas to Melvina E. Dupree, b September 23, 1889 at Highbank, d May 5, 1947 in Marlin - a daughter of Jesse G. and Caroline (Dangerfield) Dupree- early settlers of Highbank.

     Thomas William Parker's father, Tom Parker, came to Bell County, Texas from Tennessee after the Civil War - traveling with a white family named Parker; while the parents of his wife, Catherine (Baity), immigrated to Texas from Louisiana. Tom and Catherine (Baity) Parker acquired 150 acres of land near Belton, Texas, and were the parents of seven children:

     Thomas William, Zemri H. Aria, Tollie, Ollie, Marinda, Mary D., and Porter Parker.

Thomas William Parker earned a Teaching Certificate, and taught at Reagan, Bremond, and Rosebud. His wife, Melvina (Dupree) Parker, secured a Normal School Certificate and taught for many years in Falls County. They were the parents of four daughters: All four daughters were Falls County teachers.

     Helen Verna Parker, b October 29,1914 at Reagan - married first to Freddie Mattox (deceased), and married second to Booker T. Matthews. Freddie Mattox served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Helen has no children.

     Ruth Lillian Parker, b August 31, 1916 at Reagan - married Harvey A. Humphrey, and resides in Marlin, Texas.

     Theresa Caroline Parker, b April 13, 1918 in Reagan - married Bernadine A. Huckaby, who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Their daughter, Carolyn Huckaby, married W. A. Soders and lives in Wilmington, North Carolina. They have Kevin Soders, b 1971 and Terri Soders, b 1975.

     Doris Reva Parker, b October 15, 1924 at Bremond, Robertson County, Texas - married Frank Williams, Jr. (deceased). who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. They had Dwain Williams who married Shirley Lang, who has Camille Williams, b 1971 in Los Angeles, California; and Christopher Williams, b 1979 in Los Angeles.

     Parker received a scholarship to Prairie View College, afterwards he sent his wife Melvina to Sam Houston College. They both taught school in Rosebud for eleven years.

     During their stay in Rosebud they educated four daughters. Verna received her Masters degree from Prairie View University, as did Ruth, Theresa and Reva. Theresa received an additional degree from Texas Southern University. Theresa and her husband, Bernadine educated their daughter, Carolyn, who graduated from Texas Women University in Denton.

Reva’s son, Dwain Williams attended Prairie View University, and at present is attending California Community College.

 

 

 

Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart for printing the biographies of these Falls County Families to this Web page.
"Families of Falls County", Compiled and Edited by the Falls County Historical Commission, page 340 column 1 and 2 and page 341 column 1.  
Member of Falls County Historical Commission.