Paula Parker

Born in Shelby, MS on September 27, 1933

Departed on December 21, 2018 and resided in Franklin, Tennessee

Paula Pemble Parker of Franklin, Tennessee, passed away on Friday, December 21, 2018
at home after a long struggle with cancer. She was 85.

She was born on September 27, 1933 in Shelby, Mississippi to
Wilbur and Pauline (Herrington) Pemble. She graduated from the
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) in 1955 after many notable
accomplishments including, the Hall of Fame, Miss Ole Miss,
Homecoming Queen and ASB (student government) Secretary.

She was a member of Chi Omega sorority. While there, she met Edd Tate Parker,
whom she married on May 6, 1956 in her hometown of Shelby.
After her wedding, she and Edd Tate lived in El Paso, Texas where
she taught the 5th grade briefly while he served in the Army.

Upon leaving the military, Edd Tate's career took them to Memphis, Tennessee where they started their family, having three children, Tate, Lisa and Whitney. In 1971 they moved to Cleveland, Ohio when Edd Tate accepted a work promotion. They remained there until retirement in 1995 when they moved to Tennessee where Paula and Edd Tate enjoyed owning and operating Pleasant Hill Farms, a Tennessee Walking Horse farm.

Paula loved her family and friends. She loved people and socializing and entertaining
others. She always made a special effort to set high standards for the enjoyment of others. She had a gift for hospitality and was the consummate hostess.

As Edd Tate's career progressed, eventually becoming president of his company, she became the "First Lady", often co-hosting award banquets, dinners for clients and company executives here and throughout the world. She was always known for her impeccable manners and politeness. She was often described as the perfect southern lady.

Her favorite activities included Sunday School and church involvement, different Bible
study groups over the years, playing doubles tennis and attending the Cleveland Orchestra with friends. She loved horses and enjoyed riding as a young girl and again in retirement, competing in horse shows starting in her late '60's.

For years, she had Yorkshire terriers and to the end, Bo, her last Yorkie was by her side or in her lap. Although she had a deep love for her parents and visited them regularly in Mississippi, even after moving far away to Cleveland, her role as wife and mother was her first calling. As a wife and mother she raised her family with a steadfast love and devotion. She was also a caring and faithful friend to all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur and Pauline Pemble and her sister, Jean
DeLashmet.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Edd Tate Parker, her children, Edd Tate Parker, Jr. (Lucy) of Franklin, Tennessee, Lisa (Jim) Blazevich of Matthews, North Carolina and Whitney (Mike) Ruff of Jasper, Indiana; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be at 4pm on Thursday, December 27 at Parish Presbyterian
Church, 4150 Clovercroft Rd. Franklin, TN with visitation beginning at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Parish Presbyterian Church or Franklin
Classical School.

The family wishes to thank Dr. George Grant and the people of Parish Presbyterian
Church; Sunshine Williams, First Light Home Care; Josiane Batoba, Amada Senior Care and Sharon Wall, RN, Guardian Home Care & Hospice.