Sarah "Sally" Heard Parker

Sarah Macon Heard Parker, or Sally as most knew her, passed away on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at her home in Belton after a long-fought battle with cancer.

A visitation for Sally will be held on Friday, May 30, 2025 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 10:30 AM at Dossman Funeral Home in Belton with Pastor Matt Thrasher officiating. Burial will be private.

Sally was born on May 31, 1950 in Temple, Texas to the late L.P. “Bud” Heard, Jr. and Priscilla (Shumaker) Heard. She attended schools in Belton and was a proud member of the BHS class of 1968. Born with the gift of perfect pitch, Sally was a gifted musician and began playing piano at the age of 2. She was a proud member of the Marching 100 where she was a twirler and played oboe, saxophone, and most things with a reed. Sally was chosen for All State Band in 1967 and 1968, as well as for numerous other awards. After graduation Sally attended Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas until 1970 when she took a pause and married the love of her life and longtime boyfriend, Michael Roy Parker. They were married on May 30, 1970 at the First United Methodist Church in Belton and would have celebrated 55 years of marriage this year.

Sally and Mike started a family and she became a stay-at-home mom for a number of years, before going back to Southwestern University and completing her Bachelor’s Degree in 1987. She then began a 10-year career with Texas Instruments (later Acer) as a computer programmer within the laptop division. She thoroughly enjoyed her time at TI and the many friends she made while working there. In 1997, she chose to retire and focus on her family and on her new hobby, quilting. Sally became well known for her intricate quilt patterns and her desire to give them away. She made countless quilts, curtains, throws, cushions, and just about anything else made of fabric for family, friends and sometimes strangers. Sally even started teaching classes, turning her new quilting room into a classroom with multiple machines available to her students. She met and made many friends within the quilting community and it brought her so much joy and happiness. She enjoyed her weekly meals with her classmates, a group she affectionately referred to as the lunch bunch. Sally and Mike were strong supporters of the Belton Band Boosters, working the concession stands at football games and traveling to competitions all over the State of Texas. In 1994, they were recognized by the Marching 100 for their years of outstanding service and dedication.

The only thing that Sally loved more than quilting was her family. She is survived by her beloved husband, Mike. Her children, Chris Parker & wife, Jannell; Benjamin Parker & wife, Melanie; and Rachel Parker; Eric O’Braden & wife, Cheri. Her family was her pride and joy and in 2000 she became a grandma for the first time. Sally was the proud grandma to Emily (O’Braden) Hohertz & husband, Hagen; Taylor (Parker) Keaton & husband, Joseph; Michael Parker, Gavin Humphries, Logan Parker, Parker Humphries, and Matthew Parker. She became a great-grandma last year to Kodi Ann Keaton, and she has two step-grandchildren, Riley and Logan Lawhon. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Foote and husband, Bruce and Rachel Raley and husband, Lynn and her brother, Tom Heard.

The family would like to thank everyone who called, visited, helped out, and loved our mom. She was a brilliant, kind, special person who left her mark on so many places and so many people.