Cleo Vaneatti Parker

Cleo Vaneatti Lanham Parker, 96, of Abilene, TX, passed from this life on Monday, March 7, 2011 at her home. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2011 at New Beginnings, United Pentecostal Church, 5535 Buffalo Gap Rd., with Rev. Jack Stevens officiating. Interment will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Community Memorial Funeral Home, 1443 N. 2nd St.

Cleo was born in Coleman County, Texas to Thomas Bomar Lanham and Margie Belle Metts on September 21, 1914, the fourth child of eleven siblings. She and her siblings walked about 5 miles north of Coleman to attend the Indian Creek School.

Cleo married Owen Randolph Parker on October 3, 1935 in Brady, McCulloch County, Texas. To this union were born three children; Margaret (1937), Dick (1940), and Tommie (1945). Owen died in 1978 and he was interred in the Coleman City Cemetery.

Affectionately known as "MoMo", she was an active member of the same United Pentecostal Church for over fifty years, being a staunch defender of the faith, which faith she received from her mother Margie.

Cleo graduated from Scoggins Beauty College of Abilene in 1943, and she operated a beauty shop in her home from 1956 to 1984, and she raised her children there.

She was preceded in death by her husband; Owen, her parents; Thomas and Margie Lanham, three sisters; Maggie Wilson, Essie Reames, and Anne Journey Solar; six brothers, Elmer Pope (Buck), Earl Jacob (Rinkie), Novie Jr. (NJ), John William (JW), Thomas Bomar (TB), and Guy Trustin Lanham.

Survivors include her three children; Margaret White of Abilene, Dick (Nuey) Parker of Buffalo Gap, and Tommie (Patsy) Parker of Clyde, a brother; E.R. Lanham of Gatesville, TX, seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be grandsons; Shane Parker, Austin Parker, Brad White, Matt White, Joe Lutka, and nephews; Jimmy Lanham and Johnny Lanham.

"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; …that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." (Revelation 14:13).

Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice, 1682 Hickory St. Abilene, TX 79601.