By Darragh Doiron
The News staff writer
Tall, elegant, silver-haired Beverly Parker had tossed on jeans for a project at the YMCA.
Down the hall she early-voted before decorating centerpieces for a Y benefit she’s tackling, then sunk onto a bench to catch her breath.
“I just had a piano lesson,” Parker said.
Tickling the ivories was on her list of things to do after she retired. Having lunch with friends more often and visiting grandkids is also on the list, but don’t think the time is coming in any bigger chunks than it used to. She said she relishes times when she can just read with husband Carl, a lawyer and former senator.
“I really like staying at home and being quiet,” she said. “I read a lot. I make my self read something worthwhile.”
Tell that to all the groups asking her to serve on committees. The arts, tourism and civic groups get a piece of Parker, but learning has a special place in the heart of this retired educator.
She was chairman of the liberal arts department at Lamar State College-Port Arthur and taught political science.
“I miss the students and the people,” Parker said.
She was raised in San Antonio by hard-working German father Clifford Stiegler, who worked with the railroad, and her mother, LaDelle, who told her stand up straight.
“I guess growing up, the advice I remember from Dad the most is, always do the right thing. I guess that just stuck with me,” Parker said.
She must be doing something right, because she’s works with Texas Artists Museum, Southeast Texas Substance Abuse Council, Gift of Life and Port Arthur School Foundation.
She chairs the Jefferson County Tourism Commission and is serving on the Centennial Committee at Lamar State College-Port Arthur. She also teaches adult Sunday School at Memorial Baptist Church.
Her husband served as state representative and senator, his service spanning from 1963 to 1995. While she said she never dreamed she’d live the life of a politician’s wife, she used it to her advantage.
“I gives you an entree into things. He was gone so much, it made me decide to go back to school and gave me time,” she said. “We’ve just always been so blessed.”
Their three children are Valerie Hintzen, an actuary; Chris Parker, a social worker; and Carl Allen Jr., a lawyer.
Parker co-chairs the YMCA capital fund drive and supports Y projects that promote good citizenship, she said.
“I enjoy watching it grow and seeing things for families and all walks of life … such as after-school day care. I think that’s so important, so you don’t have latchkey kids,” she said.
Friend Carol Wommack has witnessed Parker’s dedication through book and garden clubs and other service groups.
“Beverly has always participated in so many activities in the community and she represents the community so very well across the county,” Wommack said.
Charles Gongre, dean of academic programs at Lamar State-College, was among several people who nominated Parker as a citizen of the year.
“I admire her dedication to and her compassion for her students,” he said.
Sandy Trevino-Wigley, interim executive director of the Texas Artists Museum, noted how Parker “tirelessly goes from one meeting to the next.”
“She always has positive suggestions for our board and even showed up to participate in our first pancake breakfast sale. Her generosity doesn’t stop at volunteering her time but she generously helps financially when called upon,” Trevino-Wigley said.
David Smith of the South East Texas Council on Alcohol/Drug Abuse said she has worked diligently with United Way.
Michelle Judice, English instructor at Lamar State College says,
“I will always remember Beverly Parker as my brilliant government teacher and my wonderful department chair but most dearly as a person who gave me a chance to work in a profession where we literally change people’s lives for the better and have a lasting impact.”
