ARDELL H. PARKER, 97, of Bedford, passed from this life to her eternal home on Monday, September 12, 2011 in Bedford Memorial Hospital. God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that Ardell has lived a long life and needed to rest. There was no better place than to rest in His arms. She was born May 27, 1914 to the late Booker and Sarah Cunningham Parker. Ardell Parker professed Christ at an early age and became a member of Bold Branch Baptist Church where she faithfully served until her health began to fail. She served on the Senior Choir as well as Mother of the Church. Ardell began her education in Bedford County and completed it years later with her Licensed Practical Nursing degree. In 1955, Ardell Parker was the first African-American nurse to work at Bedford Memorial Hospital. Despite the criticism of many, Ardell proudly nursed for 23 years, resigning in 1978 to care for her mother. She was preceded in death by four brothers, Lloyd Parker, Walter Parker, Raymond Parker, and John Parker, and one sister, Mildred Lipscomb. She is survived by a sister-in-law, Madeline B. Parker, Laurel, MD. Those left to celebrate her life are her nephews and nieces, Robert Parker (Arlice), Stafford, VA, Richard Parker (Nadine) and Roger Parker (Linda) Upper Marlboro, MD, Ralph Parker (Norma), Clinton, MD, Raymond Parker, Jr., Bruce Parker Phyllis), Bedford, VA, Walter Lipscomb (Vanessa), Mt Olive, MS, Shawn Parker Mar'tina), Laurel, MD, Roberta Smith, Algoma, WV, Valerie Mitchell (Sheldon), Woodbridge, VA, Kathy Lipscomb, Madison Heights, VA, and Ellen L. Newbill John), Bedford, VA, and a host of other relatives and friends.