Nila Parker Obituary

Mrs. Nila Marie Parker

July 4, 1933 -

May 13, 2025

GRAY - Mrs. Nila Marie Coffman Parker, age 91, Gray, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at Johnson City Medical Center.

Mrs. Parker was born in Washington County, Tennessee (Fordtown), on July 4, 1933, to the late George James & Ora Mae Ford Coffman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene M. Parker, her friend from childhood and love of her life for fifty-eight and a half years. They shared a marriage of love and devotion to each other which continues as an inspiration for family members and friends. Also proceeding her in death are her brothers and their wives; Edward and Jean Coffman, Carl and Lee Coffman, Hugh and JoAnn Coffman, twin brother Lee and Wilma Coffman, two infant brothers Herman and George Jr, and two infant sisters, Hazel and Letha.

Marie was saved as a teenager at Buffalo Ridge Baptist Church. She was an active member of Beulah Baptist Church where she taught the Gleaners Sunday School Class, worked in vacation bible school, and was a member of the Beulah Land Senior Group.

Marie's parents died when she was eight years old. Her Aunt Maude Ford Dishner and great aunts Betty, Mary, and Sallie Ford and cousin Jesse J. Ford gave her a loving Christian home where she was taught about Jesus and the values of life.

Marie graduated as an Honor Student from Sulphur Springs High School in 1951 and later from Steed College of Business and retired from Financial Services in the Accounting Department of Holston Defense Corporation.

Marie is survived by a special niece, Ericha Marie Coffman Garrison and husband, Thomas Garrison, and their daughters Maisy Grace, Mary Annalee, and Millie Marie; nieces, Ruth Fields (Mike), Katie Coffman, Cathy Coffman Huckaby, Nancy Brinkley, Mary Morton (Sam), Dorothy Littrell, Patricia Parker, Pamela Collins (John), Penney Carter, and Pepper Smith (Brad); nephews, Stephen Coffman (Linda), Edward Coffman (Judy), Darrell Coffman (Jill), Andrew Coffman (Erin), and Donnie Littrell; several great and great-great nieces and nephews; special cousin, Anthony Ford (Chola) and their children Jesse and Kristie; and long-time friend-Jewel Richardson Cox.

Eugene and Marie never had children of their own but many nieces, nephews, and children of friends who felt very welcomed and loved in their home.

Marie was full of honest opinions and unyielding family love and support which included her spirituality and strong belief which was shared with family and the people around her. She will be very deeply missed by many.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregivers, Linda Coffman, Anthony Ford and Kay Medlin and the staff at the Johnson City Medical Center for the excellent care they provided.

Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 PM, Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home with Minister David White and Pastor Al South officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 PM Sunday, prior to the service. Graveside services will follow at Gray Cemetery.

The pallbearers will be Stephen Coffman, Andrew Coffman, Edward Coffman, Darrell Coffman, Thomas Garrison, Drew Coffman, Anthony Ford, and Jesse Ford.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.dillow-taylor.com

Dillow-Taylor Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Jonesborough, TN 753-3821