CLEVELAND, July 2 — Lillie Mae Parker, long-time member and President of the Grand International Auxiliary (GIA) to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2010, at the age of 98.
She was Grand President of the GIA (now the BLET Auxiliary) for 10 years, and held numerous GIA international offices over the years. She was one of the founders of Auxiliary 189 (Emily Denny) and a loyal member for more than 65 years.
She served as president of Auxiliary 189 several times, in addition to serving as Auxiliary Chairperson for the Southeastern Meeting Association.
Sister Parker was born on October 3, 1911, in Hartselle, Ala., and taught school in Union Grove, Ala., until 1934, when she married Hobart Parker, a locomotive engineer. They moved to Birmingham in 1935, where they made their home until Sister Parker moved to Huntsville nine years ago to be closer to her daughter, Jane Smith, and her family. She was a devoted member of Tarrant Church of Christ.
Sister Bettye Dollar, the current President of Auxiliary No. 189 and long-time neighbor, said that Sister Parker was “a hard-working member of the GIA,” and was even responsible for recruiting Sister Dollar when the Firemen’s Auxiliary no longer existed.
BLET Auxiliary National President, Sister Becky Schneider, said Sister Parker “was well known and revered throughout the Auxiliary and the BLET.”
On behalf of the BLET National Division, National President Dennis R. Pierce extended condolences to the friends and family of Lillie Mae Parker.
“While I did not have the pleasure of knowing Mrs. Parker, I do know that she contributed a great deal to the Brotherhood over the years,” he said. “She was a dedicated leader and a wonderful example of the greatest generation in America. On behalf of the 59,000 men and women of the Brotherhood, I extend deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Lillie Mae Parker.”
Visitation will be at Roebuck Funeral Chapel in Birmingham on Saturday, July 3rd from 1–2 p.m., with a service immediately following at 2 p.m. with Rev. Charles Britnell officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Birmingham, Ala.
Expressions of Condolence may be made to Sister Parker’s daughter, Jane Smith, 2608 Sandalhaven Drive, Hampton Cove, AL 35763.