On Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, Emma Lou Smith Parker was quietly lifted on angel wings from her home in Nettie, W.Va., to her heavenly home. She was in her 91st year.

Emma Lou was born Sept. 24, 1920, in Quinwood, W.Va., to the late Myrtle A. McClung Smith and J. Austen Smith.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, the Rev. Herbert T. Parker; sisters Carrie O'Dell (and Dayton) and Thelma Dabney (and Bob); and brothers Lloyd Smith (and Leah), Harry Smith (and Barty) and Jay Smith (and Ruby).

Left to cherish her memory are a daughter, Georgia Gail Parker of Nettie, formerly of Fredericksburg; a niece, Claudia Smith of Lewisburg, W.Va.; and special family and friends Dr. Michael and Rita Schulte and family, sister-in-law Frances Wilson of Nashville, Tenn., Shirley Stewart and family of Matthews, Ga., Pete and Florence Bruce and Faye and Cecil Gibson and family of White Hall, and caregivers Kay Nicholas and Juanita Stroup.

Emma Lou was a member of Mount Moriah United Methodist Church. She was a loving wife and mother and was devoted to the Lord and his work as she served alongside her husband in many Methodist churches in West Virginia and Virginia.

She retired from the postal service after working in Quinwood, W.Va., Irvington and Stafford County.

A service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 5, at Mount Moriah United Methodist Church in Crozet, with Pastor Sanford Martin of Culpeper officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Friends may call at the church from noon until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Mount Moriah United Methodist Church, 4492 Garth Road, Charlottesville, Va. 22901.

Wallace & Wallace Inc. of Rainelle, W.Va., is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to wallaceandwallacefh.com.