Verbal Nell (Petty) Parker

Verbal Nell (Petty) Parker, 92, of Vian, Oklahoma, passed away peacefully on July 22, 2025 in Vian. Viewing will be at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at Agent Mallory Martin Chapel in Sallisaw, Oklahoma with funeral service to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at Macedonia Cemetery in Uniontown, Arkansas under the direction of Agent Mallory Martin Funeral Service, Inc.

She was born on January 20, 1933, in Webbers Falls, Oklahoma, to Luther Petty and Alma (Moore) Petty. At a young age, her family moved to California, where she was raised by her father and beloved stepmother, Violet Petty. As a young girl, Verbal sang with her father at church and on the radio -- an early expression of her love for music and her deep faith, which remained central to her life.

Verbal met and married the love of her life, Marvin J.L. Parker, a Pentecostal minister. Together, they traveled across many states, building churches and serving communities -- all while raising their four children.

Survivors are two daughters, Sharon Dean Fugate and Terri Jane Parker; one son, Steven Randle Parker and Debra; daughter-in-law, Randa Parker; six grandchildren, Marvin Keith Fugate (Andrea), Jeffrey William Fugate, Valerie Jane Anderson (Michael), Christina Marie Smith (Steve), April Beth Parker and Brent Parker (Jessica); nine great-grandchildren and eleven great-great-grandchildren; four siblings, Donna Phillips, Yvonne Womach, Janett Harris and Dennis Petty; one sister-in-law, Eva Petty; and several other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Marvin J.L. Parker; her parents, Luther and Alma Petty; her step-mother, Violet Petty; her son, Stanley Dale Parker; her son-in-law, Morgan Fugate; her great-granddaughter, Josephine Celeste Fugate; and her brothers, Luther Jr., vernon, Charles, David, Edward, Eugene, and Harry Petty.

Active Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Fugate, Marvin Fugate, Michael Anderson, Andrew Fugate and Steven Parker.

Verbal will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her strength, and the deep love she had for her family and for her Savior. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched and the churches she and Marvin helped build across the country.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"