Two Shreveport First Members Celebrate 100 Years

SHREVEPORT, LA. – Shreveport First Seventh-day Adventist Church held a special celebration on Aug. 6, for Lillie May Hernandez and Mary Brice Parker who celebrated their 100th birthdays together on Aug. 7, 2022. Both have been longtime active members of the Shreveport First church. 

Lillie (Smith) Hernandez was born in the small town of Fryeburg, La. Her parents accepted the Seventh-day Adventist message before she was born, due to the efforts of a pastor who held meetings in Fryeburg. On Sabbaths, the kids would go out to distribute literature “sowing seeds” they called it. When Lillie was 12 years old, she was baptized by Isaac Baker. 

Lillie met her husband, Jimmie Hernandez, on a blind date. He was a young Adventist sergeant stationed at Barksdale Field. He was a wonderful husband and father to their two boys, Ronnie and Larry. When the war was over in 1945, they moved to Mooringsport, about 20 miles from Shreveport. She was active in the dorcas society and served in many offices such as deaconess, flower coordinator, telephone committee and Sabbath School secretary, but mostly she gave her service in the children’s department.

Mary Brice Parker was born in a tent during the oil boom in Haynesville, La., on Aug. 7, 1922. At age nine she moved to Mansfield, La. It was here where she joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church. She attended Southwestern Adventist Junior College and married her late husband, AJ “Doc” Parker in 1942. Mary Brice is the mother of three children and a great-great grandmother. 

Mary and “Doc” enjoyed traveling and camping in their RV, sometimes just staying in campgrounds enjoying nature. She likes games and has always been an avid fan of “42” and “Chicken-Foot.” She loves people and has always enjoyed “get togethers” and fellowship.

Mary Brice is a longtime member of the Shreveport First church where she previously served as treasurer and deaconess. She and Lillie May have been friends for a long time. She loves her church and church family and eagerly awaits the return of Jesus.

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By Steve Orian