Edith Parker

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. John 11:25

Edith Goss Parker, a lifelong resident of Harlan, passed away peacefully December 27, 2013 at the home of her daughter, Lucy Lynn Maxwell. She was the widow of Robus C. Parker and the mother of Jerry Jane Parker Payne and Lucy Lynn Parker Maxwell. She was predeceased by her parents David Alexander and Captola Forester Goss, her brothers, Tom and Walter Goss, and two infant brothers.

She is survived by two sisters, Pauline J. Goss and Mabellee Goss Grim, one brother, Eugene Goss, and a host of nephews and a niece. She was “Granny” to Lauren Maxwell of Lexington, David Maxwell of Harlan, Hunter Payne of London, KY, Jill Payne Kobak of Lexington, and Leah Jane Payne of Austin, TX. She is the great grandmother of Benjamin Jacob Maxwell of London, Taylor and Parker Payne also of London, Olivia and Graham Kobak of Lexington, and Luke Ryan Maxwell of Harlan.

Edith was the most devoted mother ever, and she was generous to a fault, always giving of herself and her possessions to others. She was heart and soul of her family, a rare jewel that graced this earth for a time.

Edith spent the majority of her life as a resident of Ivy Hill during which time she worked in Harlan as a public stenographer, recording court trials, taking depositions by shorthand, and as a stenographer in various legal offices.

Multitalented, Edith was a born musician. After having had but a few violin lessons as a child, she was chosen to play in the school orchestra. She continued to entertain her family throughout the years with her violin and with the piano, which she played by ear. She was also a prolific writer, and recently with the help of her friend and Hospice volunteer, Linda Harmon, she published a book entitled, “The Poetry of Edith Goss Parker” that included many but not all of the poems she wrote throughout her life.

A lifelong member of the Harlan Baptist Church, she enjoyed learning and studying the Word. In her latter years, she wore out several Bibles reading them from cover to cover several times a year.

Private services will be held and she will be laid to rest in the Resthaven Cemetery at Keith, KY.

In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the Harlan Baptist Church, Kitchen Fund, PO Box 883, Harlan, KY 40831 or to Hospice of the Bluegrass, Mountain Heritage, PO Box 189, Harlan, KY 40831 in memory of Mrs. Parker.

Condolences to www.aljfh.com or www.harlanobits.net

Anderson-Laws & Jones Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Parker Family.