Patricia Hunter

On Sunday, July 26, 2020, Patricia Hunter departed this life and made her transition into eternal peace and everlasting life. Patricia Hunter was born to the late Willie Earl Parker (Father) and Ada Dancy Parker (Mother) in Washington, DC. She grew up in Butler Gardens in SE and Capitol Hill NE Washington, DC and began her formal education in the District of Columbia Public School System. She attended Moten Elementary School, Brown Junior High School, and Anacostia High School, graduating in 1980.

Patricia went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Media/Communications in 1985 from the University of District of Columbia (UDC). In 1987, she married Gregory D. Hunter, the love of her life and fellow classmate & student at UDC. Both her and Gregory graduated together in the same field of study and were very excited to start their lives together. From this union, Gregory and Patricia were blessed with two beautiful children, Chloe’ P. Hunter and Jamal D. Hunter.

Shortly thereafter, Patricia began her 38 years of service federal government career with the US Dept of Labor and the US Dept of Justice, Justice Management Division (JMD), and Community Oriented Policing Services Division (COPS). She was a very dedicated public servant and loved her job as well as the many co-workers, managers, and long-term friends she worked side by side with over the years. She spent the bulk of her career working in accounting, budgeting, and planning and acquisition of financial management. Along the way, she enrolled in many advanced management courses and training to expand her knowledge of accounting/financial systems to further advance her career. As a supervisor, she always stood out amongst her peers by uplifting employee morale through hosting many office gatherings, events, and team building exercises.

In 2008, Patricia was unfortunately diagnosed with early detected (Stage 1) breast cancer. She embraced her illness head on and was such a fighter that she would go for her treatments early morning and still manage to make it to work by mid-morning. Many of her co-workers couldn’t believe that she was able enthusiastically to do so. As a faithful and dedicated member of First Baptist Church of Glenarden (FBGC), she joined the Cancer Support Ministry and often gathered with fellow survivors throughout her period of remission. She also regularly participated in the annual Susan G. Komen “Race For The Cure” events in Washington, DC. From January 2009 to December 2018, she had been prayerfully in remission. Although her cancer diagnosis had progressed to Stage 4 in early 2019, Patricia remained very upbeat and extremely positive throughout her fight. She willingly embraced holistic medicine and adopted a healthy vegan lifestyle too. When onlookers inquired how she was able to take everything in stride, she would often quote lyrics from the late singer Minnie Ripperton’s hit song Loving You, with “Live Each Day in the Spring Time”.

Upon her mother Ada Dancy Parker’s passing in 1987, she fully embraced the matriarch role for her extended family. Patricia would often fervently plan family gatherings at her home for holidays, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, graduations, birthday celebrations, special occasions, cookouts and other events. Whenever you were in her presence, you could always count on a good meal, a warm loving environment, fellowship, her infectious smile, and plenty of laughter! She was very passionate about bringing family and friends together to entertain them and uplift their spirits. Patricia had a heart of pure gold and would often go way beyond the call of duty to make everyone else happy. She was also very excited about becoming a first-time grandmother to her grandson Elijah Nasir Hunter (5 months old) who she affectionately called “Babyface.” In fact, it was not uncommon for her to give people a nickname upon unreservedly welcoming them into her heart.

Patricia peacefully went onto eternal glory on Sunday, July 26. She had a chance to spend some time with her family hours before she passed. Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, Willie Earl Parker Sr. and Ada Parker. She leaves to cherish her memory; husband Gregory Hunter of Lanham, Maryland; one daughter Chloe’ Hunter of Crofton, Maryland; one son Jamal Hunter of Washington, D.C. (Iman Acty); three sisters, Teresa Clark of Washington, D.C. (Thomas), Ada Johnson of Laurel, Maryland, Mavis Judd of Catonsville, Maryland (Gerald); four brothers Elvis Linwood Parker of Washington, DC, Rickey Parker of Mount Rainier, Maryland (Harriet), Willie Earl Parker, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia (Guindolan), Desmond Parker of Washington, D.C.; one brother-in-law Vince Hunter of Brooklyn, New York (Althea); one grandson Elijah Hunter of Washington, D.C.; and a whole host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.