Mary Jo Parmer

Mary Jo Parmer met the Lord in heaven on April 27, 2012. She was born on July 10, 1924, in Girard, Texas to Jerome and Thelma Blackwell. She spent her childhood years in Girard and her family later moved to Lubbock, Texas where she graduated from high school from Lubbock High. She met Buford Parmer in 1947 and they were married on September 3, 1947 in Lubbock. Mary and Buford had three children who were the center of her life.

Their first child, Jimmy, was born in Lubbock where they lived until Buford graduated from Texas Tech. Then they lived in Levelland, Texas for a few years, then Seminole, Texas, where their second child, Elaine, was born, and then they moved to Hobbs, New Mexico, where their third child, Debbie, was born and where they lived for 17 years and raised their three children.

While living in Hobbs, Mary was a volunteer for the Women’s Auxiliary at Lea County Hospital and an avid bowler. She was also a member of First Methodist Church in Hobbs. In 1973, Mary and Buford moved to Midland, Texas, where she lived until her death. In Midland, she continued her volunteer work for the Women’s Auxiliary at Midland Memorial Hospital and also continued her love of bowling. She bowled for many years on several bowling leagues and made many life-long friends. Everyone who knew her has a funny story to tell about Mary. Everyone who knew her also knew that she was a true friend – someone who was a selfless giver. She was truly kind-hearted and a blessing to know.

She loved to fish and they took many vacations with her entire family at Lake LBJ and Lake City, Colorado. She also loved watching football, basketball and tennis. She and Buford were avid Red Raider fans and enjoyed many football games in Lubbock. Mary also enjoyed gospel music, but held a special place for her personal favorite – Ernie Haase and the Signature Sound gospel vocal group.

Her three children were the center of her life, but her five grandchildren were the love of her life. She was the definition of a “doting grandmother”. She loved and adored all of them.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Buford. She is survived by her three children, Jimmy Parmer and his wife, Betty, of Plano, Texas; Elaine Hannon and her husband, Robert, of Plano, Texas; and Debbie Elder and her husband, Hank, of Midland. She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Todd Parmer, Justin Parmer, Jerrod Hannon, Courtney Elder and Colin Elder; and one sister, Lilla D. Smith.

Family will receive friends at Ellis Funeral Home on Sunday, April 29, 2012 from 6pm to 8pm. The funeral service will be held in the Ellis Funeral Home Chapel on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 1pm with interment to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Jere Tittle, Kevin Tittle, Justin Parmer, Jerrod Hannon, Courtney Elder and Colin Elder.