Margaret Parsons

PARSONS, MARGARET E. BILYEUAge 92, was born in Powhatan Point, Ohio, on December 23, 1919, to Emmett and Beryl Massey Bilyeu. She passed away on September 6, 2012, to be with the Lord and her loved ones who had passed over before: husband, Jack Glenn Parsons; daughter, Jackie Ann Parsons Batdorf and son-in-law Joseph Batdorf; sister, Eileen Bilyeu Heath; brother, Emmett Bilyeu. She is survived by: her son and caregiver during the last seven years of her life, Jerry Dee Parsons;sister Nelda Muhleman of Dublin, Ohio; grandchildren Robbie Minarcin, Susan Minarcin, Jeremy Batdorf (Mikala), all of California; Kari Lynn Parsons Cropper (Eddie) of Wichita, Kansas, and Jay Dee Parsons, currently serving in the US Army in Afghanistan; eight great-children; numerous nieces and nephews. Marge graduated from St. Clairsville (Ohio) High School in 1937 and earned her Nursing Degree at Ohio Valley Nursing School in 1939. She then joined the Army Nurse Corps, and proudly served until she married Jack in 1942 just weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, whereupon she was honorably discharged. After the war, Jack's Army career took them to several locations nationwide and to Germany. The family finally retired to Albuquerque in 1957, where Marge became employed at Sandia Base, which is now Kirtland Air Force Base Hospital. She was one of the first three Registered Nurses in the country in 1973 to be awarded the duties of Nurse Practitioner, a newly formed position. Her knowledge and professionalism at KAFB's OB-GYN Clinic became well-known among thousands of military women and wives and their families. Everyone wanted "Mrs. P" as their "doctor" because of her kindness, patience, straight-talking manner, and her caring nature. Serving others, making life better, and calming fears, was her goal in the job she loved so dearly. After she retired in 1982, she taught prenatal classes for a few years, and also served as a volunteer on the local Community Corrections Panel with the State Department of Corrections. She became somewhat of a celebrity during the Gulf War in 1991 when she was interview by Channel 7 News, after requesting that the Army should send her to Saudi Arabia instead of a younger nurse who may have to leave a family behind if activated. "Mrs. P" was known for her good sense of humor as well as her sharp wit, and never met a stranger, charming everyone who came in contact with her. Funeral arrangements are being conducted through French Mortuary, 10500 Lomas NE, with Elder Mary Jaynes officiating. Viewing will take place at French ~ Lomas Chapel from 5:00 to 7:00 pm Wednesday, September 12, 2012. Funeral Ceremony will take place at 10:00 am Thursday, September 13, 2012. Burial will be at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 12:45 pm following the funeral service. Please visit our online guestbook for Margaret at RememberTheirStory.comFRENCH10500 Lomas Blvd. NE(505) 275-3500