of Searcy, AR
November 5, 1945 - February 21, 2025
Sandra Letz Parker, 79, of Searcy, AR passed away on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 after a brief illness.
She was born on November 5, 1945 in Stamford, Texas to Marvin and Ruby Hisey Letz. She grew up in Haskell and Old Glory, Texas and attended Abilene Christian College before marrying Mike Parker in 1965.
She spent her life in service to others and no listing of her good deeds adequately recounts all the ways she helped and encouraged us all.
During the early years of their marriage, Sandra worked multiple jobs simultaneously to support Mike through his undergraduate and graduate studies, culminating in his doctoral degree in Biochemistry from the University of Texas. She worked full-time in the ACC Campaign Office and part-time grading papers for the math department. She typed papers, worked as a nanny and found other odd jobs to make ends meet. She was especially pleased and amused by the security clearance she received while working for Tracor, an Austin company that performed sonar testing for the U.S. Navy. After she and Mike started their family, she devoted herself to caring for her daughters before finishing her own accounting degree from Stephens College in Columbia, MO in 1981.
Her love for numbers and scrupulous attention to detail meant that she worked long hours and was a top performer in every position she held. Her career's final chapter began in 1989 when she took a job as an accountant for a small environmental engineering firm in Norman, OK. As the company grew, she turned down an offer to become CFO when it was known as the Benham Group and had become one of the top 100 Architectural and Engineering firms in the country. By the time she retired in 2012, she was the 11th longest-serving employee out of more than 44,000 and that company had been through at least 14 name and ownership changes to become SAIC. She was admired, respected and treasured by her staff. She spent her last year traveling through the U.S. and Canada as a trainer for SAIC's accounting software, then retired and moved to Colorado Springs.
Sandra was the ultimate good sport, willing to go along with any adventures and ideas that the family proposed, including a family pizza ministry to promote community connections and good causes. She was a mentor to countless young women. She was an excellent cook who loved to feed guests in her home. She enjoyed hosting meals for prospective Harding students and their families, feeding the track team over holiday breaks, holding annual gatherings for students from Colorado and putting on monthly themed parties for her grandchildren and their friends. She was creative and capable and generous with her time and talents. Whether planning churchwide ski trips for 100, children's worship or Vacation Bible School, she avoided the spotlight and preferred to serve behind the scenes, always leaving things better (and cleaner) than she found them. She joined her family on multiple mission trips to Mexico to work in a children's home and most recently to Israel on a ''Dan to Beersheba'' tour. She was truly a ''good and faithful servant'' and an active member of the Church of Christ.
She was deeply devoted to her husband of 60 years, Mike Parker and two daughters and their husbands, Caryllee and Craig Cheatham of Colorado Springs and Micalynn and Chris Barker of Searcy. She also was the beloved ''Gobby'' to grandchildren Parker Cheatham and fiancée Kathleen Ogden of Huntsville, AL, Lisanne Cheatham Sims and husband, Seth Sims of Tulsa, OK and Sara and Caleb Barker of Searcy; as well as a host of adopted Harding University students who addressed her by that name.
She is also survived by her sister, Marlene Denton of Temple, Texas; her brother and sister-in-law, Fred and Linda Letz of Colleyville, Texas; her sister-in-law, Sandra B. Parker of Norman, OK and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Her family will host a celebration of Sandra's life on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 1pm at Cone Chapel on the Harding University campus.
In lieu of flowers and in recognition of her affection and passion for students, memorial contributions may be made to the Mike and Sandra Parker Scholarship Fund at Harding University.
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16 Condolence(s)
Gina S Fleming
Saturday, March 15, 2025
What can you say about Sandra without talking about how funny, smart, encourager, wonderful mom and wife to Mike..Together in the 80s and 90s at Alameda in Norman, they were the ones who laughed and cried and prayed with us. It's been a few years that I ate pizza with them at Marcos in Colorado Springs..Exceptional woman whom I called a dear friend at Alameda in the 80s and 90s.
John & Freeda Richardson
Thursday, March 13, 2025
We will continue to cherish all the memories we shared with Sandra, you, Micalynn, and Caryllee through the years. Sandra’s influence lives on in our hearts as does her excellence in each of her roles as Christian, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Few women have had her many talents, and she spent each of them lavishly on each of us. We love you and are thankful for Sandra’s welcome into her heavenly home as she is embraced and told: “Well done.”
Jeff Beall
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Mike: I was sad to hear of your loss. Much love to you. You are in my prayers.
William R. Oliver
Saturday, March 1, 2025
We were saddened to hear of the loss of your beloved wife Sandra. We are so glad you and Sandra were a part of our lives. We remember our times together both at Alameda Church of Christ and on the ski slopes of Colorado.
Best wishes to you and your family.
Bill & JoAnn Oliver
Brian Casey
Saturday, March 1, 2025
I read the glowingly sincere tribute to your dear one with heart, and I learned quickly to share your affection and admiration. Of course we don't mourn as those who have no hope, but we do still mourn.
Mary Tredemeyer Jennings
Friday, February 28, 2025
Sandra,Marlyn and I were friends in elementary school at Old Glory Tx I loved going to their house and remember them so fondly
Beverly Todd
Friday, February 28, 2025
Mike, I loved Sandra and Orville and I both loved you and Sandra. She was beautiful and loving to you and your family. I was so glad I caught you and we had a good visit. You and your family are all in my thoughts and prayers. Much love. Bev
Jan and Wayne Morris
Friday, February 28, 2025
We feel blessed to have met this family. Uplifting the family daily. Live from Montgomery AL
Bobbye Zalokar Carnes
Friday, February 28, 2025
Mike, thank you so much for letting me know about Sandra. I am heartbroken. I have so many wonderful memories of our time together in Haskell. She was such a special person—she had it all- beautiful, sweet, smart, and the best friend anyone could ever have. I loved her , and will always cherish those childhood memories. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Bobbye Zalokar Carnes
David Ramsey
Thursday, February 27, 2025
My heart is with you, Mike. Best to you, brother.
Dana
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Glen and Kay Jones
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Mike- We were so sorry to learn of Sandra’s illness & passing so quickly but we’re so thankful that she’s no longer suffering. We can’t imagine what you, the girls & families & all the many others that loved her too are going through. Our hearts go out to you & may God comfort you as only He can. We thought Sandra was a wonderful Christian sister.
Bill and Vickie White
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Prayers for strength and comfort for you Mike and your family. We always looked forward to seeing you and Sandra during your visits to Quanah.
Dan Bouchelle
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Sandra was one of the most impactful people in our family's life. She and Mike were our mentors and surrogate grand partners for our two older children and life long inspirations to us. We are grieving with the family even as we celebration her promotion to paradise.
marie kretschmer
Thursday, February 27, 2025
I loved Sandra so much So much.
Tom Ewing
Thursday, February 27, 2025
I grieve with you Mike. You are in my prayers. Being lonesome is the hardest thing for me. I hope your ankle still works well. I hung up my "knife" about 3 years ago and now have a son & grandson who live with me in Norman. Love You brother, Tom