Mary Steuart Parker

Mary Steuart McCracken Parker passed from this world on September 28, 2017. Mary was 91 years of age and lived in Cookeville, TN across the street from her son, Tony. She died after a brief illness. Mary was born December 25, 1925 in West Cyruston in Lincoln County, Tenessee. Mary and her siblings started school in a one room building at West Cryruston and finished high school in Boonshill, TN. Basketball was the “Big Sport” and Mary was a cheerleader. She married Parker Winfield McCracken on November 25, 1944. Parker died on June 12, 1973. She then married James Peden Parker, Jr. who was a first cousin of Parker McCracken, on December 26, 1977. James died on April 13, 2003. Mary worked 20 years at Serbin dress plant in Fayetteville, TN. and 15 years at Torrington Fafnir plant in Pulaski, TN. She had one year of perfect attendance. At various times she lived in West Cyruston, McBurg, Boonshill, Pulaski, Algood and Cookeville, TN. She followed the Atlanta Braves, cherished her family, was a great seamstress and had a green thumb with flowers. She belonged to Algood Methodist Church. She always said she was ‘raised a Methodist and a Democrat’. She was a selfless individual who took her children to church and left this life as a Christian saved by Jesus’ grace. God bless our mother, sister, grandmother and friend. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harrison Elliot Steuart and Annie Mae George Steuart; brothers, George Alexander Steuart (who was killed in WWII) and Garland Hayes Steuart; sisters Nannie Mae Steuart Sutton and Ruth Steuart Hart. She is survived by her sister Sue Stephens of Portland, TN. Sons Joe H. McCracken (wife Shelia) of Knoxville, TN. and Tony W. McCracken (wife Lorrie) of Cookeville, TN. She also had a grand-daughter Emily Crody of Cookeville, TN. and great grandchildren Harrison Crody, Nicholas Crody and Gavin Crody. Step- son Allen Parker (wife Rita) of Pulaski, TN. their daughters Alicia Parker and Alana Scruggs (husband Randy) and step grandchildren Dawn Taylor and Max Luegge and great grand step daughter Adelyn Taylor. Step great grand-children John Parker Scruggs and John Carter Scruggs. Nieces Kathy Sullivan and Donna Steuart, Nephews Mark Stephens, Paul Hart, Stephen Hart, Phillip Hart, Joseph Sutton, Wayne Steuart and George Steuart. Services will be held Saturday, October 7th. 2017 at 2:00pm. (Central time) at the Algood United Methodist Church. Visitation will be from 1:00pm until the time of service with snacks to follow. Officiant Rev. Terry Little will conduct the service. Graveside services will be held at Maplewood Cemetery in Pulaski, TN at 2 P.M. Sunday October 8th. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a Military Veterans organization of your choice.