Patsy Parker
Patsy Ruth Arrington Parker left this world on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 and joined her husband, Orion Everette Parker, Jr. and her beloved daughter, Susan Parker Potter in her eternal home.
Mrs. Parker was born on January 9,1930 in Alleghany County to the late George Lewis Arrington and Evelyn Carter Arrington Faucette where she lived most of her life. She enjoyed spending time with her family and all of her cousins when she was younger and they maintained strong bonds throughout their lives.
Patsy began working in The Commissioner of Revenue’s Office for Alleghany when she was 16 years old and worked there until her retirement in 1991. Her grandfather, JP Carter was the commissioner at the time. Shortly after his retirement her mother, Evelyn Carter Arrington Faucette was elected to the office. When she retired, Patsy was elected to hold the office. Mrs. Parker was a dedicated civil servant and oversaw many changes to the office during her tenure. The most daunting change was the implementation of computer systems and she worked tirelessly to ensure the citizens of the county were given correct information.
Patsy met her husband, Orion Everette Parker, Jr. on a date that she was supposed to have with another fellow who was unable to go and had asked O.E., Jr. to go in his place. That impromptu date resulted in a lifetime of love as they were married on August 5th, 1952 just before her husband was sent to basic training and lasted until his death on February 16, 2018. As a couple, they complemented each other well with O.E. Jr. being loud and boisterous and Patsy being reserved and kind.
Music was an integral part of Patsy’s life. She sang in many choral groups when she was younger as well as performed in numerous Alleghany Highlands Chorale, Minstrels and Zany Follies performances and was a regular member in the church choirs originally at Granbery Memorial United Methodist Church and later McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church.
She was a lover of art in all forms and was in charge of the Annual Art Show for the Covington Woman’s Club. Like every other thing she did, she took it very seriously and wanted to make every detail perfect. Once Patsy moved to the Glebe she enjoyed walking down the hall that had monthly art exhibits and reading all about the artists and their works. She also enjoyed playing cards with her family and was involved with many local bridge clubs.
Upon her retirement, she became a doting grandmother and caretaker for all the people she loved. She cared for her mother, her sisters and of course her husband until they passed. She was always willing to watch her grandchildren and truly enjoyed spending time with them. She was also blessed to spend some special time with her great grand daughter Teagan in the past year and a half. Patsy left a lasting legacy of wonderful memories for her grandchildren and they know that she was so proud of all of them in everything they did. She was an integral part of their lives and they loved her so much.
Since 2017 she has been a fixture at the Glebe. Patsy had countless friends there and stayed involved, running the bridge club, taking exercise classes, going to the Friday night movie, enjoying lectures and particularly any musical program. She took things in stride and continued living her best life, staying active, making new friends and trying new things. Patsy was always joyful and looked for the positives in every situation and was such a light in her family's lives. She will be dearly missed but the memories she left behind will be treasured by her family and friends.
Mrs. Parker is survived by her daughter, Rebecca Parker Hudson and husband, Kevin of Daleville; a son-in-law, William Lacy Potter of Lewisburg, WV; her grandchildren, Kaitlyn Lacy Potter Law and husband, Drew of Hardy, VA, Parker Ruth Hudson of Charlottesville and Carter Hobbs Hudson of Lynchburg; her great grandchild, Teagan Lacy Law of Hardy; a brother, James Lewis Arrington and wife, Judy of Tampa, FL; nieces and nephews, Molly Gay Parker, Anna Sue Wright, Burdette (B.R.). Rupert. Jr., Alan Weade and Bobby Weade; and a number of cousins.
In addition to her parents, husband, and daughter, Mrs. Parker was preceded in death by two sisters, Peggy D. Arrington and Gay Nell Arrington Parker; brothers-in-law, Harold Burton Parker, and Burdette Rupert; sister-in-law, Frances Parker Rupert.
A funeral service will be conducted at 4:00 P.M. Sunday, March 9, 2025, at McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church with Rev. Jim Moss officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 2pm at the church. Interment will be held at a later date.
The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the Glebe Benevolent Fund, ATTN: Sam Kelderhouse, 200 The Glebe Blvd, Daleville VA 24083 or McAllister Memorial Presbyterian Church, 900 N. Alleghany Avenue, Covington, VA 24426.
Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; to view Mrs. Parker's memorial tribute page, please visit www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com
