Madge Skidmore Parker || Obituary

Madge Skidmore Parker, 89, of Paris, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Colonial Lodge.

Services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2025, at Bright-Holland Funeral Home with Rev. Jody VanDeaver officiating. Burial will follow in Meadowbrook Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour before the service.

Madge, the daughter of Floyd Gentry & Thelma Beatrice Westbrook Gentry, was born on April 3, 1935, in Lamar County, TX.

On July 3, 1952, she married Clayton Skidmore, building 51 years of family and memories before his passing. Following Clayton’s death, Madge married Larry Crawford. They married on April 25, 2004, and Larry preceded her in death. She then married Arnold Parker, and Arnold preceded her in death. Madge was also preceded in death by her parents, a son, Curtis Skidmore, and siblings, Rodger Gentry, James Gentry, Charles Gentry, Kenneth Gentry, and Bernice Bell.

Her career at Westinghouse/North American Phillips Lighting spanned many years before her retirement in the early 80’s. Madge was a member of Bethel Baptist Church for 40 years. There Clayton was a deacon and Sunday school teacher, and Madge sang specials, was in the choir, and sang at weddings, funerals, and revivals. When she married Larry Crawford, they attended First Baptist Church of Deport. When Larry lost his battle with lung cancer, she moved her membership to the First Baptist Church of Paris where Larry had worked for 12 years before his retirement. Later Madge moved her membership back to Bethel Baptist Church in Clardy.

Survivors included two children, David Skidmore and wife Laura and Nita Johnson and husband Dennis, and grandchildren Cade (Bo) Skidmore, Harley Skidmore, Raynie Skidmore Lollar, Casey Johnson, and Taran Harms. Great-grandchildren Jaylie Kayde Johnson, Anabell Hoskins, Garrison Rhyder Horton, Derringer Horton, and Asher Johnson, and siblings Linda Caviness and Donald Gentry, along with numerous nieces and nephews and a plethora of friends.

Casket bearers will be: Cade (Bo) Skidmore, Harley Skidmore, Casey Johnson, Randy Gentry, Jeremy Lollar, and Ryan Lassiter. Ben Holland will serve as an honorary bearer.

The family would like to say thanks to so many that helped care for their mother during her time of illness: Platinum Home Health & Hospice, the wonderful staff at Colonial Lodge and her private sitter, Tanya Johnson.

To leave a message or tribute for the family please visit www.brighthollandfuneralhome.com