“I gives you an entree into things. He was gone so much, it made me decide to go back to school and gave me time,” she said. “We’ve just always been so blessed.”

Their three children are Valerie Hintzen, an actuary; Chris Parker, a social worker; and Carl Allen Jr., a lawyer.

Parker co-chairs the YMCA capital fund drive and supports Y projects that promote good citizenship, she said.

“I enjoy watching it grow and seeing things for families and all walks of life … such as after-school day care. I think that’s so important, so you don’t have latchkey kids,” she said.

Friend Carol Wommack has witnessed Parker’s dedication through book and garden clubs and other service groups.

“Beverly has always participated in so many activities in the community and she represents the community so very well across the county,” Wommack said.

Charles Gongre, dean of academic programs at Lamar State-College, was among several people who nominated Parker as a citizen of the year.

“I admire her dedication to and her compassion for her students,” he said.

Sandy Trevino-Wigley, interim executive director of the Texas Artists Museum, noted how Parker “tirelessly goes from one meeting to the next.”

“She always has positive suggestions for our board and even showed up to participate in our first pancake breakfast sale. Her generosity doesn’t stop at volunteering her time but she generously helps financially when called upon,” Trevino-Wigley said.

David Smith of the South East Texas Council on Alcohol/Drug Abuse said she has worked diligently with United Way.

Michelle Judice, English instructor at Lamar State College says,

“I will always remember Beverly Parker as my brilliant government teacher and my wonderful department chair but most dearly as a person who gave me a chance to work in a profession where we literally change people’s lives for the better and have a lasting impact.”