Adelia Cooley Parker, born March 11, 1874, in Kanosh, Millard County, Utah, was the fourth daughter and fifth child of Osborn Benjamin Cooley, and Frances Isabell Rodeback Cooley, early pioneers who suffered many hardships in the setttlement of Utah. Their home was a log house, the furniture hand-made, but love and affection prevailed which is the making of any home. The crops were planted but the grasshoppers devoured everything.

The Cooley family moved to Joseph City in Sevier Co., Utah, situated on the magnificent Sevier River, which was named for John Sevier, Pioneer explorer of that area. It must have been a hunting paradise for the Piute Indians. Having decided to make this their home they bought a farm and home - a frame building - and soon became comfortably fixed. They had no luxuries but what they had was good. Many and varied were their experiences in Joseph City where they lived for 16 years. They were active in the ward and civic affairs and held positions of trust in the community. They were among the leading citizens of the town. Adelia grew up in a home that was well disciplined, with love and affection for each other.

She was a pretty young lady going to school and had that coveted school girl complexion, hazel eyes, and long braids of dark brown hair. She was a girl that knew her own mind and was free to express herself in her home. Adelia was of a studious nature and loved good books and received good marks in her school work.

She was baptized by Gideon A. Murdoch, on the 25th of June, 1882, in the Sevier River, and confirmed by Samuel Wells Sr.

Adelia became the plural wife of Joseph Faulkner Parker whom she married June 5, 1889. They became the parents of six children: Malvina, Ada Lavern, Ariel F., Frances Marie, Florence Adelia, and Bryon Nelson Parker.

In her profession of obstetrics, Adelia was a well-qualified nurse and midwife. At the age of twenty-eight years, in 1902, she was called by Lydia C. Wells, who was then President of the Joseph Ward Relief Society, to take the class in obstetrics which was sponsored by the General Board of Relief Society. Upon completion of the course under the direction of Doctors Ellis R. Shipp and Middleton, she began her career and during the short time she practiced, brought nearly one hundred babies into the world. In her blessing she was promised success in her work and this promise was fulfilled.

On January 6, 1908, at the age of thirty-three years, Adelia, a woman of great courage and strength of character, passed away.

(By Marie Parker Larson and Vina Parker Baird.)