1926
Joan
2016
Joan Lykins Parr
September 14, 1926 — May 3, 2016
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Joan Lykins Parr, 89, wife of Eugene Q. Parr, M.D., passed away on May 3rd at her home in Lexington, KY.
Born in Kenova, WV on September 14, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Kearney and Madge Lykins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Donald Lykins, Kearney Lykins, Jr., and Janet Rich. A daughter-in-law Lucia Boland Parr, wife of Eugene Parr, Jr., also predeceases her.
In addition to her beloved husband of 65 years, she is survived by her three children, Eugene Q. Parr, Jr., Jeffrey W. Parr (Peggy) and Valerie Parr Hill (Will). Five grandchildren also survive her: Jenny Robbins (Chris), Christy Byrum (Brad), Gene Hill, Jeffrey Hill, and Christopher Parr. Six great-grandchildren also survive along with her beloved niece, Kimberly Rich Evans of Marietta, GA.
Joan was a graduate of Berea College in 1948 and attended the University of Cincinnati. Following college graduation she taught high school English and biology in Waverly, OH, and Louisville, KY. She and her husband, who met at Berea, were married on June 9, 1951 in Kenova, WV. While living in Chattanooga, TN, Eugene completed his internship.
The couple returned to Berea, where sons Gene and Jeff were born. Afterwards the family moved to Rochester, MN, for four years while Eugene completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. It was there that daughter Valerie was born. In 1960, they moved to Lexington and made the Bluegrass their home.
Joan was the consummate wife, mother, and homemaker. The center of her life was her faith and her family. She loved and worshipped Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. She taught Sunday School at Immanuel Baptist Church until the age of 85. Joan was a lifelong Bible student and scholar. She served as a deacon at Immanuel where she had been a member since 1975.
Mrs. Parr maintained a strong commitment to education throughout her life. She served on the founding Board of Directors of Lexington Christian Academy, the Board of Trustees at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, and the Alumni Executive Council of Berea College. Additionally, she was a longtime member of PEO Chapter F.
The family would like to express their profound gratitude to Joan's personal physician, Dr. Terrance Furlow, and her oncologist, Dr. John Gohmann.
Visitation will take place Sat, May 7 at 10-11:30 am in the Chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow with Rev. David Howard and Rev. Gene Parr Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Grass Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a gift to Hospice of the Bluegrass or Baptist Health Lexington.
Online guestbook at www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.com
Visitation:
Visitation will take place Sat, May 7 at 10-11:30 am in the Chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church
Funeral:
11:30 am Saturday in the Chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church
Interment:
Blue Grass Memorial Gardens
Joan Lykins Parr, 89, wife of Eugene Q. Parr, M.D., passed away on May 3rd at her home in Lexington, KY.
Born in Kenova, WV on September 14, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Kearney and Madge Lykins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Donald Lykins, Kearney Lykins, Jr., and Janet Rich. A daughter-in-law Lucia Boland Parr, wife of Eugene Parr, Jr., also predeceases her.
In addition to her beloved husband of 65 years, she is survived by her three children, Eugene Q. Parr, Jr., Jeffrey W. Parr (Peggy) and Valerie Parr Hill (Will). Five grandchildren also survive her: Jenny Robbins (Chris), Christy Byrum (Brad), Gene Hill, Jeffrey Hill, and Christopher Parr. Six great-grandchildren also survive along with her beloved niece, Kimberly Rich Evans of Marietta, GA.
Joan was a graduate of Berea College in 1948 and attended the University of Cincinnati. Following college graduation she taught high school English and biology in Waverly, OH, and Louisville, KY. She and her husband, who met at Berea, were married on June 9, 1951 in Kenova, WV. While living in Chattanooga, TN, Eugene completed his internship.
The couple returned to Berea, where sons Gene and Jeff were born. Afterwards the family moved to Rochester, MN, for four years while Eugene completed his residency in Orthopaedic Surgery at the Mayo Clinic. It was there that daughter Valerie was born. In 1960, they moved to Lexington and made the Bluegrass their home.
Joan was the consummate wife, mother, and homemaker. The center of her life was her faith and her family. She loved and worshipped Jesus Christ as her Savior and Lord. She taught Sunday School at Immanuel Baptist Church until the age of 85. Joan was a lifelong Bible student and scholar. She served as a deacon at Immanuel where she had been a member since 1975.
Mrs. Parr maintained a strong commitment to education throughout her life. She served on the founding Board of Directors of Lexington Christian Academy, the Board of Trustees at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College, and the Alumni Executive Council of Berea College. Additionally, she was a longtime member of PEO Chapter F.
The family would like to express their profound gratitude to Joan's personal physician, Dr. Terrance Furlow, and her oncologist, Dr. John Gohmann.
Visitation will take place Sat, May 7 at 10-11:30 am in the Chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow with Rev. David Howard and Rev. Gene Parr Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Grass Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a gift to Hospice of the Bluegrass or Baptist Health Lexington.
Online guestbook at www.BettsandWestfuneralhome.com
Visitation:
Visitation will take place Sat, May 7 at 10-11:30 am in the Chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church
Funeral:
11:30 am Saturday in the Chapel of Immanuel Baptist Church
Interment:
Blue Grass Memorial Gardens
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joan Lykins Parr, please visit our flower store.
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