LINDA ELIZABETH SLIGAR PARKER, born on December 14, 1923 in Bertrand, MO to James L. and Mary Alice (Jackson) Sligar, died at the age of 93 on March 8, 2017 at the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter, MO due to Alzheimer's disease.

Linda attended grade school in Bertrand and was a 1942 graduate of Diehlstadt High School. While working at Brown Shoe Factory in Charleston, MO, she met William Paul Parker of East Prairie, MO. They were married from October 23, 1942 until he preceded her in death on February 25, 2001. They made their home in East Prairie and were active, long-time members of the First Church of God there.

Many East Prairie residents knew Linda as "the cake lady" because of the beautiful cakes she baked for their birthdays and weddings. Her decorating skills were self-taught, but she took great pride in pleasing her many customers with unique, personal designs.

She enjoyed music, sang in the church choir, and loved to dance the jitterbug. Neighbors often saw her working in her beloved flower gardens or bird watching. She also enjoyed crossword puzzles, genealogy research, and crocheting.

Her grandchildren adore her, and they were her pride and joy. Family and friends enjoyed the wonderful meals she cooked, especially her chicken and dumplings, fried sweet corn, and delicious pies.

Linda is survived by daughters Paula Kay Southern of Midwest City, OK; LaDonna Jean Sullivan and husband Jerry of South San Francisco, CA; and Mary Ann Allen and husband Kenneth of Bloomfield, MO.

Grandchildren include Pamela Ann Elrod Hardy of Midwest City, OK; Maurene Elizabeth Southern Sowder and husband Rick of Oklahoma City, OK; Paul Robert Sullivan of San Francisco, CA; Amy Elizabeth Sullivan of San Francisco, CA; Jennifer Elaine Allen Waggoner and husband Jody of Bloomfield, MO; and Jonathan Edward Allen and wife Lauren of Wentzville, MO.

Great grandchildren are Kura Elizabeth Lytle of Newalla, OK, and her children Jacob, Bo, William Atley, Nicky, and Katerina Jace; Justin Lytle serving in the U.S. Army in Okinawa; Breanna Hicks and Cloe, Cole, Ashley, and Geddy Sowder of Oklahoma City, OK; David Allen Waggoner of Bloomfield, MO; Amelia and William Allen of Wentzville, MO; and Parker Robert Sullivan of San Francisco, CA.

Sisters-in-law Margaret Sligar of Kansas City, MO and Anita Parker Key of Denver, CO also survive along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by sisters Helen Marie Sligar, Dorothy Mercer, Kathaleen Padgett, and Ruth Ellen Hinkle; and brothers James Benjamin Sligar, Herbert Sligar, Franklin M. Sligar, and John W. Sligar.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 18, 2017, at the First Church of God, 322 N. Washington Ave, in East Prairie, beginning at noon until the Funeral hour at 2:00 p.m. Rev. John Sliger of Sikeston will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Dogwood Cemetery under the direction of McMikle Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be given to the The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001.