Evelyn Viola Parker

PARKER, Evelyn V., 85, of Beavercreek passed away peacefully on January 15, 2025. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 61 years, Phillip “Hersh” Parker, son Doug, sister Shirley, brother Eugene, great granddaughter Savannah. She is survived by four sons, Scott (Karen) of Beavercreek, Brent (Kathy) of Ostrander, Steve (Joy) of Loveland, Bryan of Columbus, eleven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, one brother, one sister, two special nieces, and numerous other family members and friends.

Evelyn will be remembered for her devotion to God and family and for her impact in the greater Dayton area with the Deaf community where she was an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. She touched thousands of lives, both hearing and hearing impaired, in government, law, medicine, industry, church, rehabilitation, and education through her skilled and professional vocation. She spent her adult life advocating for and supporting the deaf. She initiated the ASL program at Sinclair College, was a founding member of the Miami Valley Baptist Church for the Deaf, and improved the quality of learning for the handicapped at Wright State University and University of Dayton. She received much recognition and won many awards for her services including Dayton’s 1990 Disabled Professional Woman of the Year when she was given the keys to the city, 1998 Federal Disabled Employee of the Year award when Secretary of Defense Colin Powell personally honored her, and 2016 Kiser High School Hall of Fame.

Because of her interpreting skills and professionalism, she was often contacted by the public relations departments of celebrities and government officials when they came to the Dayton area – President George Bush, Governor Dick Celeste, Nannette Fabray, Red Skelton, Tom Bosley, Marlee Matlin to name a few.

There is no doubt that the world is a better place because of Evelyn, that heaven received an angel, and that those of us remaining will miss her terribly.

A memorial service will be held at noon February 8, 2025 at the Miami Valley Baptist Church for the Deaf, 1642 Bartley Road, Dayton, OH. Visitation with family will be held prior to the service 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Miami Valley Baptist Church for the Deaf.