Cecile Donna Parker

Cecile Donna Parker (Byan) of Pinson, Alabama went to be with her Lord at age 75 on July 21, 2016, after a prolonged illness. A native of Chicago, Illinois she was greeted in heaven by her parents, Cecile Petraitus Byan and Edward Louis Byan; her husband, William Ronald Parker, Sr.; and her sister, Joyce Eileen Hapke.

Beloved mother to her three adult children, Suzanne Byan Parker, William Ronald Parker, Jr., and Edward Lewis Parker; she was also a beloved grandmother to granddaughters Kathryn, Brittany, Bethany, Brooke, and grandsons William, and Wesley, and great-grandmother to great-grandson Weston. She also leaves behind her youngest sister and her husband, Mrs. Helen Bergren of Minneapolis and Gary Bergren, Minnesota, and devoted brother-in-law, Charles Hapke of St. Louis, Missouri – in addition to nephews and nieces, as well as a house full of stuff that we do not know what to do with

.

A graduate of the Medical College of Virginia, she worked as a registered nurse for many years. She remained lifelong friends with her college roommate, Ann Calder of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Donna’s kindness, generosity, and willingness to believe the best in everyone and to hope for the best bordered on naiveté. Her innate mothering skills were legendary – spoiling many attempts by her youngest son to escape the house late at night – she could spot an excuse or tall tale very quickly. She loved her three children unconditionally and whole-heartedly threw herself headlong into whatever activity they embraced. An avid cheerleader, she would cling to the dugout fence shouting encouraging words as her youngest son played baseball. She attended every football game the three of us marched in and would cheer us on as we marched in the band. As the grandchildren arrived, she immersed herself in their lives as well. Once as part of a Harry Potter-themed party, she graciously agreed to greet party visitors on the front porch dressed in costume as the, “Fat Lady.”

Donna never met a stranger and always took time to investigate the intimate details of the people lucky enough to meet her – especially while dining out. Before family members could speak their orders, Mom would engage the wait staff in conversation as to their home of origin, hobbies, and professional plans – while we prayed that the ground would swallow us up whole. She was also on a first name basis with the majority of clerks and other employees at the local Publix grocery store. Once, on a family vacation while loitering on the docks in Dauphin Island (waiting for our hotel room to be become available) a passerby commented on the brightly sequined tee shirt that she was wearing -- with the result that Mom gave the stranger her shirt.

She sought the Lord’s input on everything and was delighted when He intervened on her behalf. Her relationship with God was such that while walking down the beach in the heat of summer to collect seashells she was bemoaning the fact that she needed a hat – and around the next bend she found a Kentucky Fried Chicken bucket. She rinsed out the provision and donned the hat – thanking the Lord. She also prayed about where to grocery shop – always finding the best deals in town.

As a new bride, anxious to please her southern born and bred husband, she attempted to make cat head biscuits. The result of her proud attempt was that her husband asked if she had served hockey pucks—clinking the hard biscuit on the plate to demonstrate his point. She went on to become an amazing cook—insisting that there was a special/favorite dish for every person at her table. Baking, however, was never her strong suite. She always felt the need to embellish baking recipes, including instant cake mixes with usually peculiar results. Her demise of an orderly, spotless kitchen–leaving spills and dishes across every available surface–became a running joke. Demonstrating that one could cook a potentially messy dish yet leave the kitchen intact–her middle child, Bill, once cooked pizza in a white shirt and tie to illustrate tidy cooking while producing exemplary results. She remained undaunted. All that knew her will miss her.

To celebrate her extraordinary life, there will be a memorial service on Monday, August 8 at 4:00 P.M. at Ridout's Trussville Chapel 1500 Gadsden Road, Birmingham, AL 35235-3102. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to:

The Lithuanian Foundation - for scholarships to Lithuanian students. Mrs. Parker was very proud of her Lithuanian Heritage.

• http://www.lithuanianfoundation.org/memorial-contributions/

• On donation page select “Memorial Contributions”, then “donate by credit card”.

• Using dropdown, choose “in memory of a deceased friend or loved one” and enter “Donna Parker” as the name of Honoree