Jean E Parker

Jean Evelyn Parker was born Sept. 21, 1918 in rural Pottawatomie County, Kan. to John Robert and Mabel Rose Clark. Her first trip to town was to the Celebration of the Peace at the end of World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. She attended Eureka Elementary School, Onaga High School and Washburn College in Topeka, Kan.

She moved to Kansas City during World War II and married William Howard Parker on September 7, 1944. They had three children, Susan Jane, David William and wife, Pamelia Sue and Joyce Elaine, all of Kansas City, Mo.

Jean devoted her life to the importance of education. After teaching in a one-room rural school in Pottawatomie County, she later taught at St. Gabriel Catholic School in Kansas City. She also served as a substitute teacher in the North Kansas City School District. Jean was instrumental in the formation of the Greater Kansas City area library system and was a librarian for the Mid-Continent Library until she retired.

She was a member of the Church of the Good Shepherd where she served as Sunday School teacher, wedding committee and Altar Guild. She is survived by her children; seven grandchildren, Clark and Grant Gieseke, Greer Emmons, Courtney Parker, Parker Rakes, Shannon Stephen and Shelly Spritzer; and 12 great-grandchildren, Sydney Settle, Cameron, Corbin amd Cruise Emmons, Scout Gieseke, Kendrick, Austin and Hailey Stephen, Madison and Samuel Phillips and Michael and William Spritzer.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday June 10, 2011 at McGilley Antioch Chapel with a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial will be in White Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions are suggested to Crossroads Hospice. www.mcgilleyantiochchapel.com