Gwen Scallorn

Gwendolyn “Gwen” Ann Scallorn (nee) Parker, 83, of Iraan, Texas and Port Arthur, Texas passed away on July 30, 2024. Gwen was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Port Arthur, Texas to Harry Everett Parker and Jewell LaRoe (nee Stubbs) Parker.

Following graduation with a degree in Education from Lamar University, Gwen’s first teaching assignment took her to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, Alaska. She survived the Good Friday Alaska earthquake, as she liked to say, in the Officers Club under a table.

Gwen returned to Texas and went on to teach in the Port Arthur Public School System before transferring to the Galveston Public School System. It was in Galveston that she met Robert “Bob” Scallorn. They were married in her childhood home in Port Arthur. Their honeymoon consisted of moving back to Alaska, where Bob transferred by Marathon Oil Company.

A daughter, Leigh, was born in Soldotna, Alaska in 1970. The family transferred to Hillsdale, Michigan in 1973, before making their home in Iraan, Texas in 1976. 

Gwen enjoyed being active with the Mildred Parker Garden Club, reading to children at the Iraan Public Library, being involved in the Iraan-Sheffield Independent School District, and helping the Iraan community in any way she could.

Gwen was preceded in death by her Aunt Claudine Fain and husband, Leo Fain of Port Arthur Texas. Her father, Harry Everett Parker, predeceased her, as did her mother Jewell LaRoe Parker. Gwen is survived by her only child, Leigh Scallorn of Iraan, Texas, and her furry grandchildren…Bean, Eleanor, Winston, and Duncan.

Gwen was most loved by her family, her friends, her grand cats. Her daughter, Leigh, said “I will grieve the physical loss of my mother. I will always love her until the end of my days. I was blessed more than my fair share, to have such a soul in my life.”

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah https://bestfriends.org/ or the animal charity of your choice. Please adopt, don't shop, for your furry companion.

“The mother memories that are closest to my heart are the small, gentle ones that I have carried over from the days of my childhood. They are not profound, but they have stayed with me through life. And when I am old, they will still be near.” — Margaret Sanger