Freda Marie Parker, 101, longtime resident of Crosbyton, Texas, passed away on February 28,
2025 surrounded by family after a lifetime of adventure. She was affectionately known as
"Mother" and "Mom" by her children and "Grandma Freda" and "GMF" by a host of
grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and many others who were blessed
to know her.
What can be said about such a wonderful woman? Her amazing life spanned from the Great
Depression to the daily use of an IPad and social media. Calvin Coolidge was the US President
when she was born and there were 17 Presidents during her lifetime.
Born on December 31, 1923 in Ralls, Texas to Willie and Adele Ihnfeldt, Freda was a farmer's
daughter who learned the skill of hard work early. Together with her brother, Fritz, she spent
most of childhood on a farm and went to school in Ralls. She met and fell in love with Leonard
Parker and they married in 1948, and ultimately celebrated 42 anniversaries together.
Leonard and Freda settled in Crosbyton and, except for a very brief move to Oregon, they lived
their entire lives there. Freda had several jobs during her lifetime, including working as
seamstress in a sock factory and serving as a cook in the kitchen at the Crosbyton Hospital.
Leonard and Freda loved to travel when they could and traveled across much of the USA, with
many photo albums to prove it. In fact, in the 1980s, they purchased a Chevy van and drove all
the way from Crosbyton to Alaska and back.
Church was very important to Leonard and Freda. They were baptized believers and faithful
disciples, serving the Church of Christ on Birch Street in Crosbyton for many decades. They
loved the Lord and lived their lives in obedience to the Word to the best of their abilities. In the
years following Leonard's death, Freda often spent quiet time listening to the Bible on tape early
every morning. Freda continued to live on her own on Crosby Street in Crosbyton for 35 years
until late in 2024.
In January 1949, Leonard and Freda welcomed their daughter, Sharrian Linell, and in July 1952,
they welcomed their son, Kitz Shultz. Leonard and Freda passed their legacy of faith to their
children, both of whom married Christians and are faithful disciples to this day. Sharri married
George Lamberth in 1968 and Kitz married Sheri Skinner in 1972. The Parkers were ultimately
blessed with grandchildren, great grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren (including
one to be born soon). Her grandchildren fondly remember Summer and Christmas family
gatherings, walking to the dollar store, sleeping on cots, and sacks of candy every time they left
to return home.
Not only was Freda was passionate about her faith and her family – she was very competitive as
well. She loved to gather with friends and family and play cards and dominoes, including
RummyKub, 42, SkipBo, Pitch, Train, Conasta, Phase 10, and any other game you wanted to
play – including Words with Friends with family and friends daily on her IPad. Even at 100
years old, Freda rarely lost. Many local Crosbyton kids came to Freda's home through the years
to play games and enjoy Dr. Pepper floats.

The family is especially grateful to Lenette Fowler and Don Parker their selfless service to Freda
through the years.
Freda was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard, her parents, her brother, Fritz, and many
friends and family members. We are excited that Freda will finally experience a great reunion
with all these precious people for an eternity with her Lord and Savior. What a reunion that will
be!
Left to cherish Freda's memory are her daughter, Sharri Lamberth and husband, George; her son
Kitz Parker and wife, Sheri; her grandchildren, Tonya Thornton, Tye Lamberth, Kara Guerry,
Sara Pace, Tami Sturgill, Zach Parker and Danna Trelz, and their respective spouses; 21 great
grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Freda will be at Legacy Church of Christ in North Richland Hills on
Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at 2:30 PM. Graveside services will be held at Crosbyton Cemetery in
Crosbyton on Wednesday, March 5 at 1:00 PM.