obits

Michael Dewayne Parker

Funeral services for Michael Dewayne Parker, 45, of Fultondale will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, at Hanceville Funeral Home Chapel, Robert Flanders officiating, with interment in Shedd Cemetery.

Hanceville Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Parker died Tuesday, Nov. 6, at UAB Medical Center. He was born on Feb. 11, 1962, in Birmingham.

Survivors include his father, J.R. Parker of Birmingham; his mother, Ivalene Waldrep of Fultondale; a daughter, Emily Parker of Leeds; a son, Justin Parker of Talladega; two sisters, Deborah (Keith) Roberson of Hoover and Pam (Don) Short of Brookwood; a niece, Tamara Bristow of Brookwood; a nephew, Billy Lutrell III of Irondale; and a host of aunts, uncles, other family and friend.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.



Annie Lee Mullis Nielsen

Annie Lee Mullis Nielsen, wife of Dr. R. Elmer Nielsen, entered her heavenly home on Nov. 5, 2007. She was born on Oct. 5, 1916, on a dairy farm near Charlotte, N.C., to Eula Gayle and Zeb Mullis. The eldest of six children, she attended the University of North Carolina and Bob Jones University. There she met and later married Elmer Nielsen from Montgomery, Ala.

The Nielsens would live to enjoy a 68-year marriage that would take them from World War II into their retirement in 1985 to Cullman. A devout Christian, she supported and encouraged her husband as he completed his education to become an ordained minister. Always at his side in pastorates in Milton, Fla., Hattiesburg, Miss., Cullman and Montgomery, she was the shining light of graciousness and kindness.

To her four children, she was the mother who loved each one and made their home her priority, bringing dignity and admiration to the word “homemaker.” In 1963, when son John was a senior, she served as president of the Cullman High School PTA.

After the children left home, she acquired her licensed practical nurse accreditation and provided private-duty care for seniors.

She was faithful with her husband as he continued his ministries to Tutwiler Prison, and international churches in Singapore and Thailand. Since her first trip abroad in 1950, to meet Danish relatives, Annie Lee traveled extensively in many parts of the world and loved meeting new people.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. R. Elmer Nielsen; one sister, Geraldine Casner of Charlotte, N.C. Her children include Nancy (Dr. Charles) Davis, Tommy (Carol) Nielsen, Dr. John (Rita) Nielsen and Chris (Marsha) Nielsen; her grandchildren are Dana (Dr. Jeff) Morris of Houston, Texas, Kristi Nielsen, Richard (Jiwan) Nielsen of Atlanta, Ga., Susan (Bryan) Bowen of Cullman, Jason Nielsen of Boulder, Colo., Jennifer (Brad) Taylor, and Julie (Reggie) Freeman of Birmingham; her great-grandchildren are Carter and Cooper Bowen, Taylor, Brooke and Evan Morris, and Anna Kate Taylor.

A special thank-you is given to the caregivers who are like family: Judy Crandall, Sheila Bowers and Barbara Persall.

Memorials may be made to the 21st Century Church Expansion Fund of First Baptist Church or Hospice of Cullman County.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007, at First Baptist Church in Cullman, Brian Witcher officiating, with interment in Cullman City Cemetery. The body will lie in state at the church one hour prior to services.