Ana C. Sinclair Parker

Sunrise: 1944 | Sunset: 2025

Ana Crutcher Sinclair-Parker went home to glory on February 25, 2025. She was born on May 3, 1944, in Columbus, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rosa Lee Crutcher-Whitfield and Charles Crutcher; her grandparents, Daniel and Estorah Hale, and Jean Willis; and her animal friends Muffy, Oliver, Zoey, and Louie. Ana is survived by her husband of forty years, Denson Parker; daughter, Kellie Deneen Sinclair; brother, Pastor Charles K. (Mary) Crutcher; three loving nephews: Delane, Casey, and Michael Crutcher; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and goddaughter Ryan Gilton Fapohunda; and animal friends Daisy and Simon. She was blessed with a bonus family of nine brothers and sisters-in-love; special niece Tracy Bess-Willmington; and a multitude of friends.

Ana grew up in Columbus, Ohio, graduated from East High School of Columbus, and later graduated from the Career Academy Dental Assisting School. She was subsequently employed at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in the Oral Surgery Clinic. Her dedication and skill led her to supervise the newly established Dental E.R. Clinic before advancing to the Graduate Prosthodontics Department. Her 15-year tenure at OSU brought her immense joy, as she cherished the close relationships she built with her patients, staff, and coworkers.

Ana was a member of Second Baptist Church for many years, where she served as an usher. Many years later, she transitioned her membership to the City of Zion Church, where she was a faithful and dedicated servant and a member of the Mother’s Board. The gifting of Thanksgiving baskets to families was her brainchild.

If you knew Ana, you knew just how much she loved and cherished her “Kellie Girl.” She and Kellie were an inseparable team even after her marriage to Denson. She was so very proud of the strong, independent woman Kellie had become.

Beyond her professional and church life, Ana had a passion for creativity in crafts, homemaking, art, and entertaining family and friends in her home. Her beloved husband, Denson, was the first of many to recognize her decorating talent and encouraged her to pursue it as a new career. As a result, D’-Ana’s Designs was born.

Her expertise and excellence were featured in many publications. There are many who remember her signature phrase: “Just let me try this” when it came to decorating their homes.

Ana and Denson shared a love for projects and adventures, often earning the affectionate nickname the “Project Parkers” from close friends. She found joy in gardening, world travel, and real estate, including rehabbing and renting homes. Her commitment to community service extended beyond her church, as she volunteered with The Martin Luther King Women’s Service Board, I Know I Can Program, Black Achievers, The Columbus Museum Women’s Service Board, Decorator’s Show House, Women’s Shelter, Midwest Area Food Bank, CAMACO-Martin Luther King Branch, and many political campaigns. She was a former member of the circle – Let’s Inc. (Columbus Chapter) and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Her beauty transcended from baby to eighty. With remarkable style and flair, she stood apart. As a featured model both locally and nationally, her beauty and influence were undeniable—recognized across time and platforms.

She will be remembered by her friends and family for her creativity, thinking, energy, faith, leadership skills, passion, and love for her family and friends.

Ana leaves to cherish her life and great memories: Denson and Kellie, her brother Charles (a.k.a. Casey), sister-friends Brenda and Sherry, the Giltons, Danters, and Willises. Not forgetting her love and joy for her animal friends Daisy and Simon.

There are no words to fully capture the huge life Ana lived, the countless lives she touched, and the lasting impact she made. She was the kind of person who would inspire you to think of how you could do it better, and would make you believe that you could do it. As vibrant and full of life as she was, she left this world just as she lived—on her own terms, slipping away quietly without notice. That, too, was Ana.

Rest comfortably, dear Ana, mom, bubby, mommy, aunt D, Aunt Anna, and friend. You will be missed.