Jane Ann Parker passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at Mercy Health Lourdes Hospital.
JA was born in Evansville, Indiana on November 16, 1944, to the late Bob and Audrey McKeown, one of eight children and the first to be born in a hospital. She left when she was 2 years old to eventually be raised in Paducah. She resided in Metropolis, Illinois for 17 years. She was a member of St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
She was a graduate of St. Mary Academy in the class of 1962, and was a Duchess of Paducah. She maintained a close relationship with classmates from the Academy from first grade through high school. She valued her Catholic education and all 7 siblings graduated from St. Mary Academy or St. Mary High School. After high school, she became involved in the nursing home business, establishing Southgate Health Care Inc., in 1971, in Metropolis, Illinois. Throughout her career in health care, she was an advocate for the elderly. Her husband accused her of being a magnet as she was drawn to the geriatric population, be it for advice, assistance or fully caring for them in her facility. Her dedication is reflected in the offices she held in Illinois Health Care as secretary, serving on the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Administrator’s Association. This legacy was passed down to her children as the second generation who owned and operated Southgate Health Care Inc., until December 2025. Prior to becoming an administrator, she enjoyed her career in real estate in both Kentucky and Illinois.
After retirement, she traveled extensively with her husband, boating on the many waterways of the US and then settling into their second home during the winters on Bellair Beach, Florida. She wintered there for over 30 years, where she served more than 10 years on the Board of Directors, in the capacity of Treasurer and Vice President.
Mrs. Parker was known as “Grammy” to her grandchildren whom she adored and stayed involved in their lives as they grew into adults, always giving them advice and keeping them close to her heart.
Jane Ann is survived by her husband of 42 years, Bill Parker; two daughters, Shelly Bell of Paducah, Lori Long (Edmond) of Bluffton, South Carolina; four sons, Sam Thompson (Brookly) of Paducah, Jeff Thompson of Paducah, Clayton Parker of Atlanta, Georgia, Creston Parker of Atlanta, Georgia; three sisters, Jackie Hopper of Paducah, Jean Doris Ray (Ron) of Phoenix, Arizona, Colleen Krier of Phoenix, Arizona; three brothers, Al McKeown (Mary) of Paducah, Bob McKeown of St. Louis, Missouri, Brian McKeown of Vero Beach, Florida; 14 grandchildren, Dr. Samuel Thompson (Jessica), Nicholas Thompson (Kelsey), John MacCauley IV, Parker MacCauley, Will Parker, Dylan Parker, Aiden Parker, Hunter Parker, Sam Bell, Jack Bell, Carrie Bell, Lily Becke, Hunter Becke, Asher Becke; four great-grandchildren, Samuel Thompson, Jr., Harper Thompson, Harlow Thompson, Sullivan Thompson, along with several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Judy Walker; one son-in-law, Chris Bell; her parents and her grandparents, Sam and Erma Shumate, whom she had a special relationship.
Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church with Father Basilio Az Cuc and Father Mike Clark officiating. Burial will follow the service at Mt. Kenton Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 13, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to: St. Mary High School 1243 Elmdale Rd, Paducah, KY 42003, at www.smss.org, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, at www.stjude.org or St. Thomas More Catholic Church 5645 Blandville Road Paducah, KY 42001, at www.stmore.org.
You may share a memory of Jane Ann Parker or leave a message for the family at www.milnerandorr.com.
