Elizabeth Parker Biddle

On May 28, 2023, Elizabeth Parker Biddle passed away at the age of 79 after a brief illness. Liz, as she was known to all, was born to the late Henry and Bonnie Cooley Parker of Guntersville on July 8, 1943 at the old Guntersville hospital on Ringold Street. Her father medically retired as the Assistant Chief of Police for Guntersville and her mother was the secretary and bookkeeper for the Marshall Technical School. Liz was a graduate of MCHS Class of ‘61 and attended both Snead and Athens State colleges. All of her life she had a passion for the arts and the mixture of colors used for expression. She majored in art, wanting to become an art teacher and participated in several art shows across Alabama for many years. It was at Snead that she met, and later married, John R. Biddle, from Ft. Payne, Alabama making their lives together here in Guntersville. He taught for Guntersville City Schools for over 40 years and she was right beside him at every event along the way. Together they had two daughters, Tama and Mari. She never met a stranger and many people considered Liz as a surrogate mother. She briefly taught reading in Dekalb and Marshall County, Alabama before choosing to stay home and raise her daughters. She was more than happy to be the central figure in their early years. She spent a good deal of time once the girls were in school doing volunteer work for Guntersville City Schools. Liz is best known for the time she spent working with the Crimson Guard Band under several directors including the late Frank Butenschon, the late Allen Barfield, the current director, Lori Hart when she was at the middle school and others. Liz was instrumental in helping organize the Crimson Guard when they won the title of Greatest Band in Dixie from the Crewe of Mid-City in New Orleans. She considered the band students like her own children and always ensured that every child who crossed her path was safe, healthy, cared for and had whatever they needed. In later years, she worked in the church nursery at Guntersville First United Methodist Church (now Guntersville First Methodist) where she was a lifelong member. She enjoyed holding small Sunday school lessons for the toddlers in her care and sharing her love for the Lord. She considered it a way to give back to God for all of his Blessings and to help young parents be able to attend church knowing their children were safe and loved. She loved seeing them later as they grew up and seeing their accomplishments. Liz enjoyed traveling when she could, playing games with her family, listening to Vestal Goodman, spending time with people, and sharing her love and kindness with people she met. Her favorite activity was grabbing a sweet tea and watching the sunset on the lake with her husband of 56 years, but had known each other for 61 years. Sunsets were her favorite things to paint and she always recognized God’s beautiful art strokes and amazing colors no one could ever duplicate. Liz is survived by her husband John, daughter Tama and her husband Anthony Nunnelley, daughter Mari Biddle, a grandson, Mitchell Dyson (Theresa), two grand-daughters Sara and Kristina Nunnelley, her sister-in-law, Lynda C Biddle, and special family Dave Badley, Tiffany Moore And Amy Lang. She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Henry Eugene Parker, JR. (Buddy), and a son, Matthew Biddle. The service was held at Carr Funeral home Friday, June 2nd with burial at Arab City Cemetery. Pastor Ricky Smith of Guntersville First Methodist Church officiated. Tiffany Moore read special mementos from friends and family. Pall bearers were Tommy Lowe of Gadsden, Leonard Lowe of Florence, Matthew Wester of Fyffe, Tom “T.R” Roberts, Buddy Bunch, and Mike McCormack of Guntersville. Honorary PallBearers were Dr. John Boggess IV, Dr. Larry Walker, Dr. Randall Beyl, Dr. Stephen Britt, Dr. Mihir Kanitkar, Dr. Henry Chen, Dr. Tarek Persaud, Reverend Terry Bentley, Pastor Mark Adams, James Chitwood, Mike Gilbreath, Krystal Judd and all of the students during her years with the Crimson Guard.

Elizabeth Parker Biddle

July 8, 1943 - May 28, 2023