Nina Lee (Abshire) Parker, 101, passed away at 4:15pm on September 2, 2020 at Primrose Retirement Community in Newburgh, IN. She was born in Richland, IN to Charles Edward and Myrtle (Brown) Abshire on January 2, 1919.
After graduating from Luce Township High School in Richland, she received her BS in Secondary Education from Evansville College in 1940 where she was a member of Gamma Epsilon Sigma sorority and on the staffs of the Crescent newspaper and Linc yearbook. Her senior year, she was elected a Campus Notable. She then taught business, biology and physical education at Luce Township High School for 10 years, and during the summers of WWII, she proudly worked in administration at Servel in Evansville selling war bonds. Nina Lee placed a priority on her relationships with her students – they were each one special to her – and until very recently, she attended monthly luncheons with many of them.
In 1944, she married Clyde W. Parker from near Chrisney. Clyde and Nina Lee moved to Evansville in 1947 and Nina Lee set up and managed his dental practice in Evansville for 43 years. While she tirelessly supported Clyde’s professional pursuits, she also was a dedicated member of local, state and national Dental Society auxiliaries, the Isis Temple No. 41 Daughters of the Nile, and was especially proud to be a longtime member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association. Over the years, she was also active in several local investment clubs, a very special bridge club, and was President of the Rolling Hills Country Club 9 Hole League.
Nina Lee always said that her proudest “accomplishments” were her daughters, Karin Lee and Carol Lynn. Ever the teacher, she taught them how to read, sew, type and do a wide variety of crafts. She encouraged all their scholastic efforts, spending endless hours coaching and assisting with homework. She was always their #1 Fan, avidly supporting their artistic passions and never missing a program, performance or recital. Most importantly, she was an ever-present example of how to live a God-centered life.
Nina Lee and Clyde were charter members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and it played a central role in her life. In addition to teaching Sunday School and serving on nearly every committee of the church, she was also one of the first presidents of the Aldersgate Women’s Society of Christian Service and participated in endless church suppers and programs. It was especially important to her to welcome and get to know every new member who joined the church. She rarely missed a Sunday.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Clyde; her daughter, Carol Verderese; her son-in-law, Don Heinicke; her cousins, who she grew up with like siblings, Cleon Brown and Jerry Ray; cousin Kent Ray; and brothers and sisters-in-law, Glen “Bud” and Jeanette Parker and Ruth and Charlie Lehmkuhl.
Nina Lee is survived by her daughter, Karin Heinicke of Evansville; her grandchildren, Leanna Verderese of Pittsburgh, PA and Jake Verderese of Erie, PA; son-in-law, James Verderese of Erie, PA; nephew, Chip Lehmkuhl, nieces, Gayle (Mike) Waters and Shari Reed, all of Evansville; cousins Kevin Ray of Evansville, Kris (Cheryl) Ray of Wadesville and Rebel Brown of Arizona; numerous great-nephews and great-nieces; and especially her many extended cousins who have been so very special to her throughout her life. And of course, her precious students.
The family wishes to thank the remarkable staffs of Primrose Retirement Community and Southern Care Hospice for providing such loving care and an exceptional home for Nina Lee.
Due to the COVID pandemic, there will be no visitation. Her funeral service will be at Aldersgate United Methodist Church on Monday, September 21, 2020 at 11am. While the family welcomes your attendance at the church, we encourage you to consider attending via the livestream at www.aldersgateum.org or https://conceptlivestream.com/embed.php?stream=12. Private entombment will be at Alexander Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Nina Lee Abshire Parker Endowed Scholarship at the University of Evansville, Office of University Advancement, 1800 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47722 or to the Aldersgate United Methodist Church Endowment, 5130 Lincoln Avenue, Evansville, IN 47715.
Condolences may be offered at www.AlexanderEastChapel.com.
