PARKER, Lora

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 12/27/2011 Lora Burgess Parker, 98, died Monday, Dec. 19, 2011 in Eagar. She was born May 4, 1913, in Eagar, the daughter of William Jay and Jessie Mary Wiltbank Burgess. Lora was a business and finance clerk for the Forest Service, retiring in 1980. She also worked as an office assistant for a doctor, ran a café in Springerville with her husband, Andy, and was an accountant’s assistant at Becker Mercantile. She enjoyed traveling, going to Greece, Israel, Ireland, and Russia, as well as numerous tours within the United States. Lora enjoyed gardening, reading, sewing, and quilting and served as an LDS missionary for 20 years doing French extraction work at the Family History Center in Eagar. She is survived by her daughter, Laraine Parker Shapiro of Flagstaff; a daughter-in-law Louise Hopkins; a sister Virginia Burgess Whetton of Colonia Juarez, Mexico; nine grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren. Lora was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Andrew Parker; son William Jay Parker, and brothers: Mirl, Deral, and Gordon Burgess. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Eagar Stake Center, with visitation one hour prior. Interment will follow the services at the Eagar Cemetery. Leave an online condolence at www.burnhammortuary.com Burnham Mortuary of Eagar handled arrangements.