A tear-filled group of friends and family gathered June 20, at Wells Memorial and Event Center, to celebrate the life of Stacey Parkerson.
Parkerson died on Father’s Day, after clinging to life for five months from critical injuries she sustained during a hit and run accident in January.
There was standing-room only during the memorial as loved ones swayed back and forth to the final song, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.” One of her best friends, Candace Webb, held up an imaginary beer.
“What we have right here, no one can ever take it away from us,” Webb said. “We will meet again. Or that’s what I’ve been told.”
After the memorial, the group headed to the strawberry field near the accident site on Sydney Road. Parkerson had been thrown 72 feet on impact. They lit candles and released a warm, glowing lantern that floated up into the sunset-streaked sky.
The ordeal was over. She was up in those pink and orange clouds. But the pain will never go away.
“She would’ve said (the driver) didn’t mean to do it,” said her mother, Kathy Gamble. “That’s the kind of person she was. But in the meantime, we’re all a mess.”
THE ACCIDENT
It was almost noon when Parkerson left her house Jan. 17, to go to the store for some cigarettes and a soda. She was staying with her sister, Michelle Glass, off Sydney Road near Creek Road. The store was so close that it could be seen from the end of the driveway.
But, Parkerson didn’t make it. She was walking on the grass when a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500, driven by Dannie Ray Dixon Jr., slammed into her. He and his passenger left the scene.
“Why did you leave her?” Gamble asked. “Why? That’s the only question I have.”
What didn’t leave was the grill of Dixon’s truck. It had fallen off and was left behind as the only clue. Police were able to find the vehicle because of it.
Meanwhile, Parkerson was shuffled from hospital to hospital. The once wide-smiled 40-year-old had been reduced to a swollen, vacant daughter, aunt, sister and friend with a clenched jaw. Unrecognizable. When she emerged from a coma, she could only register her name with a few blinks.
After five months, she died.
Now, the family is waiting for justice. Dixon has another hearing scheduled which could change his charges from a third-degree felony to a first-degree felony, raising his sentence from five to 30 years.
“She was very much loved,” Gamble said. “Everyone loved her, and she touched everyone.”
HER WAY
Parkerson was loved. She doted on her three nieces and all her friends’ children. She couldn’t have her own. For her niece Ashley’s birthday, she bought her an iPod. And Parkerson couldn’t pay rent that month.
“She always made sure they had what they wanted,” Glass said. “Whether she had to beg, borrow or steal. She could lie her way out of a paper bag.”
Glass had taken in her little sister since Parkerson was 15. She turned Glass’ world upside down with her fun-loving antics, yard-selling and decorating.
Although they were sisters, Parkerson was like Glass’s child. On her best days, she would wake up and meet Webb at a buffet for lunch. The two would come back to Glass’ house and throw on their bathing suits to tan at her pool. Glass would have to go to work.
“I was so jealous,” Glass said.
By the time the sun set, Parkerson and Webb would be ready for the bar. Sometimes, they would go to thrift stores before and buy costumes to wear. They’d pull on black silky gloves to their elbows, wide-brimmed hats and carry long cigarette holders. A couple of Holly Golightlys.
“There were so many fun times,” Webb said.
Like the time the duo won a $500 shopping spree as part of the McDonald’s Monopoly Game. Or the numerous treks across town to find a gas station that had fountain drinks served in Styrofoam cups. It had to be Styrofoam.
But, she wasn’t all fun and games.
“I will tell you that if you needed her, she would be there,” Webb said. “Even if she had to walk.”
The words ring true. Parkerson volunteered at Lighthouse Ministries. She took all the kids she knew to Trunk-or-Treats at the local churches, dressing up, too. Once she was the house from the Disney movie “Up.” Balloons and all.
Parkerson also rescued a pit bull/American bulldog mix from the street. He was just a puppy when she found him abandoned on Forbes Road. The “Canine Arnold Schwarzenegger” was at the candlelight vigil along with the others.
As family and friends looked back on her life during the vigil, they laughed and they cried. But they hoped, too.
“I see it from the perspective that I will be able to see my friend again,” Webb said. “It won’t make it better today. But, it brings hope to all of us.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.