BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
Photos by Art’s Step-Daughter Jessica Hampton-Sneed
The late Art Parker, of Millbrook, was recognized officially this past weekend at the Alabama Press Association’s Summer convention with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
At the time of his death in November of 2020, Parker was the editor of the Montgomery Independent. Locally, most will remember him for his work with the former Millbrook Independent. Accepting the award on his behalf was his beloved wife, Christine Parker, who resides in Millbrook.
Still raw from his untimely loss due to a car accident, Christine spoke with us and reflected on his life.
“He could be the biggest grouch, but he also was so funny and had the biggest heart. There was so much about him I admired, before I even married him. The immensity of all of that, things he would do and go out of his way to help people. He didn’t like to be recognized. He had so many awards in his lifetime…with charity work and community service that he did while he was in the Birmingham Jaycees. I truly think that the award that he received from APA would have meant more to him than anything.
“It was his second career and he fell into it by accident. He and Milton McGregor had been friends. Milton introduced Art to Bob Martin, owner of Montgomery Independent. They became friends and that is how Art began working for Bob. Art just wanted to do something with sports. He didn’t care about running a newspaper, which is what he finally wound up doing. He started a sports magazine and it was wildly popular. Then we moved to Millbrook and he got the bright idea that Millbrook needed a newspaper and the rest is history.
“It is such a tragedy that he is gone, but I have to look at it as his final reward was God taking him to Heaven. He was leaving Montgomery Academy after he covered a ball game. He was probably thinking about the story and everyone he had talked to.”
Art’s vehicle was struck by a reckless driver. He would die weeks later from those injuries.
During his time with the Millbrook Independent, Art was passionate about politics and community journalism. Sports was always close to his heart, and he made it a mission to give coverage to area students that might otherwise go unnoticed by larger media outlets.
He told me once, “You know, the big dogs (media) aren’t going to come over here unless someone is bleeding, or there is a scandal. It is up to us to cover the community, and help these young athletes.”
On that we agreed wholeheartedly. I miss Art. Even our arguments, of which there were many.
He was my go-to guy if I had questions about politics or legislation, or the background of any political candidate. Even now there are days that I am not familiar with a name, and I think, “Let me call Art. He will know.” And then it hits me.
He would always tell me to meet him at the old Jim’s Restaurant in Prattville where he commanded a corner table. By the time we were finished I knew more than I could have ever used as background.
I have to close with a hilarious story concerning the early relationship with Parker. It really is a miracle we came to love each other, truth be told.
I was the editor of the Prattville Progress back then, but we had a Millbrook edition as well. It was Mardi Gras time, and the Millbrook Revelers were having their annual Ball at the Millbrook Civic Center. I decided I would go and take some photos for our Millbrook edition.
As I entered the door the man taking tickets looked me up and down as I introduced myself. “You are not welcome here,” he said. I explained again that I was just there to give some positive publicity.
“Nope, we don’t need you. We’re covered. You need to leave,” the ticket taker said.
I figured that this was not a battle where I needed to plant my flag, and turned to go.
Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley had apparently received word I had been turned away and stopped me in the parking lot. He escorted me back in, much to the irritation of the ticket taker, and I took a few photos and made a hasty retreat.
Years later after Art and I started working together at the Millbrook Independent, I told him the story. His blue eyes twinkled, the crooked grin erupted and he let out a huge laugh.
“Yea, I did that,” he said laughing so hard he could barely breathe. “And that Danged Kelley let you in anyway.”
He had approached the ticket taker days before on the chance I might try to get in for photos and concocted a plan to keep all other media out. And it almost worked…..
That was Art. Fun-loving, passionate about news, and territorial when he felt it was needed. He is missed and loved, but will never be forgotten by those who loved him. Rest well friend.
P.S. – We recently renovated and redecorated the Elmore/Autauga News office where the Millbrook Independent was located before it closed. For years Art’s same old, broken down, wooden desk stood in the Editor’s office. It was beyond hope, and has been replaced. But I will never walk into that office without thinking of Art, behind the old scarred desk, glasses on his nose, listening to horse racing on the internet. He would look up at me and say “Hey Kid. What trouble are you starting today?”
Sarah Stephens is the owner of the Elmore/Autauga News. She can be reached at [email protected]
