Mrs Norma Kit Kate Parker

Many things can be said about Mrs. Norma Kate Parker, nickname 'Kit'. Known to friends and acquaintances as a friendly, energetic, empathic and decisive woman, her compassionate nature would always shine through, revealing her charm, warmth and conscientious demeanor. She was warmhearted, gentle and organized in all the things she sought to accomplish. Kit was a mentor, a natural “teacher” capable of seeing things clearly, leading others and bringing out the best in all of those around her. She generally had a focus on harmony and peace.

Kit was born on August 30, 1927 at Saint Margaret's Hospital in Montgomery, Alabama. Her parents were Willie Roy and Esther Avant Holley. Kit was raised in Montgomery, Alabama. When she was young, Kit's friends and family found that “straightforward” and “honest” were perfect words to describe her. Even as a child, Kit demonstrated strong qualities of self-confidence, perceptive ability and a disposition that was enjoyable to those around her.

Kit grew up with four siblings. She had one older sister Doris, one younger sister Priscilla, and two younger half sisters, Patricia and Jackie. Kit was constantly involved in all sorts of activities with her family. She was even-tempered, taking care not to get involved in too many family conflicts. This quality served her well, in perpetually bringing harmony, understanding and a sense of peace to the family. Kit carried these traits into her adult life and served as one of many reasons why family and friends found her pleasurable and delightful to be around. Kit was a person who genuinely understood and cared for others, making powerful connections with those she knew.

As a young girl, Kit was imaginative, ingenious, clever and a “novel” thinker. Regardless of whether her peers were older or younger, or came from different backgrounds, Kit could easily relate to other kids. She was an active child who took part in volleyball, tennis, and bowling. She was a Girl Scout. In her spare time she liked to sew, and knit. Kit's memorable achievements included, raising six children, managing her household especially when her husband was away on business. However, to Kit, the most fun to be had was simply playing and spending time with her many friends, and family.

During her high school years, Kit had a natural flair for cheering on and applauding just about everyone. She was constantly offering her support and encouragement to fellow members of the groups and activities in which she participated. She attended Forest Avenue Grammar School, and Cloverdale Junior High School before entering high school. She graduated from Sidney Lanier High School, Montgomery, Alabama in May 27, 1946. She did well in school and genuinely enjoyed telling stories in a way that drew people to her. In this way, Kit had a talent for becoming the center of attention, a kind of social catalyst. Kit was often found to be the lead person facilitating a group activity, frequently filling the role of being “the life of the party.” Teachers and classmates knew Kit as an excellent listener. She placed a high value on learning and always understood that there was a new lesson to be grasped waiting for her just around the corner.

Kit did well in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama, as a result of her being intuitive and finely organized. Her favorite courses were Science related. She was a member of the Delta Zeta Sorority. The skill of being a good communicator helped Kit immensely during her college days. She was comfortable with abstract information and theories and tended to thrive on the subjects that forced her to think. No matter what class it was, Kit was always very perceptive and embraced the mental challenges that her college experience provided.

Always considered a “good” friend, Kit sought to understand the things that others enjoyed. For this reason Kit always seemed to possess a never-ending collection of acquaintances. Kit’s friends found her easy to know and get along with because of her talent for being socially at ease, adept at conversation, and always amiable in her dealings with others. Kit would always seek to learn what her friends enjoyed, and she would go out of her way to make sure that their needs were met. Kit was always seen as the type of person who was the more gracious giver. In fact, she sometimes felt ill at ease when she was the one on the receiving end. Throughout her life she had many friends. While growing up, some of her best friends were Ruth Green, Bonnie Bozeman, Katherine Hartley, and Betty June Carr. Her friendship continued and grew stronger with Ruth Green, Bonnie Bozeman, Katherine Hartley, Betty June Carr, Margaret Sanchez, Dot Murphy, Lucy Hoop, Kathleen Hulsey and Gwinn Pierson.

On February 29, 1948 James Ernest Parker proposed to Kit, she accepted and on August 29, 1948 Kit and James were married. James was a student in the College of Education at the University of Alabama. The wedding took place at the Forest Park Baptist Church, Montgomery, Alabama. Compassionate and devoted, Kit worked hard to make her new family happy. She was always generous with her time and this meant that James came first in Kit’s book. She was always caring, loving and made certain that she considered James’s feelings. By trusting her emotions, Kit did her best to make sure that both the marriage and home life ran smoothly. This is just one more example of how Kit was truly a person of empathy. At the University of Alabama, they lived for a time in what was a WW-II Northern General Hospital that was turned over to the university for family quarters - then later moved into an apartment at Bakersfield on campus. With her husband in the US Army they had residences in the following locations; Tuscaloosa, AL; Montgomery, AL; Fort Jackson, SC; Essex, MD; San Francisco, CA; Anchorage, AK; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Atlanta, GA; Honolulu, HI; and Springfield, VA.

Kit’s quality of being a caring and tolerant person who was very accepting of others translated to being a good mother to her children. Kit shared these values with her eight children, daughter Suzanne Elaine, son James Ernest Jr., daughter Anita Michelle, daughter Sheila Anne, miscarried a son, son Keith Allen, son John Edward (Still born), and son William Douglas. Kit was also blessed with nine grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren, David, Michelle, JD, James, Frank II (Beau), Shannon, Jonathan (Jon), Keith Jr, and Michael. Kit related well to children of all ages and was able to connect to them on their level. The children always loved her and she was completely and totally devoted to them.

Kit experienced success in her activities over and over again. Her primary occupation was household manager/domestic engineer, and seamstress. She was employed for 63 years and 9 months by the JE Parker Family. Kit always made the effort to understand what was needed, and was well known by her colleagues as a team player. Kit took pride in managing her professional responsibilities and seemed to always know what was necessary to successfully complete a project. Kit was one to take the initiative and her skills at working cooperatively were highly valued. Kit continually sought to learn what her friends did well and how they were most effective, a talent that enabled her to help them develop their own potential. She really enjoyed family game time playing Mexican Dominos.

Because she was organized and methodical, Kit took great pleasure in her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were her family, sewing, knitting, crocheting, needle point, and latch hook. She made several church banners that are displayed from time to time. Kit enjoyed sharing her passions with others and could singularly focus on one hobby at a time.

Kit derived much satisfaction from sports. Because she was so instinctive and could always grasp the big picture, Kit delighted in the strategy and inner workings of a competition. In high school, Kit played tennis, and volley ball. Recreational sports included bowling. Kit was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams' events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were ice skating/ice dancing, gymnastics, college and professional football.

Throughout her life, Kit was actively involved in professional and community organizations. With a talent for focusing on exactly what was required to be completed, Kit was known to her peers as being able to strengthen any group endeavor. When called on, Kit was a natural leader who created harmony and good relationships within the group, often putting her own needs aside. Kit’s involvement could easily help structure and organize any part of an organization. An added benefit was Kit’s ability to bring valued principles along with her. In college, Kit joined the Delta Zeta Sorority. Throughout her later years, Kit was an active member of the North Springfield Garden Club, Civic Association, Ravensworth Baptist Church, and St Labre Indian School.

Kit’s faith was important to her. She grew up in the Highland Avenue Baptist Church, Montgomery, AL. She was a member of Ravensworth Baptist Church for 45 years. She was compassionate and warm hearted, someone who truly cared for others and that was clearly demonstrated in her early years of working with congregation children.

Kit enjoyed traveling, and because she was so well organized, she would take on the responsibility of planning, scheduling and recording all family vacations. Her gift for keeping things lively meant that vacations with Kit were always enjoyable. Favorite vacations included Branson Missouri to the Lawrence Welk Resort (50th Anniversary), visits to Germany, Barbados, England, and the Orient Express to France and Switzerland, National Parks across the US, Bonita Springs Beach, and Fort Meyers Beach FL.

Kit was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. Kit's favorite breeds were Cocker Spaniels, and Chows. Tiger, a mix breed Wired Hair Terrier/Cocker Spaniel that looked like Benji that was a best friend for 16 years and her dog Prince a White German Shepherd that lived for 14 years.

Being the focused and organized person that she was, Kit had taken care to plan for this part of her life. When that time eventually arrived, Kit knew exactly what she wanted to do, settling in North Springfield Virginia. In retirement, she found new pleasure traveling the world with the love of her life(Maj James E. Parker, Sr, USA Ret), word search games, puzzles, sewing, knitting, and latch hooking. Even in retirement, Kit continued to stay in touch with her old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled. She enjoyed the Lawrence Welk programs that were broadcast on public television.

Kit passed away on Sunday morning at 11:41 a.m., May 20, 2012 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Medical ICU, Bethesda, MD (one week after Mother's Day!). Kit fought so many illnesses for many years but her battle against Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Congestive Heart failure, Coronary Disease, and Diabetes were all too much for her to continue to face. She is survived by her spouse James E Parker, Sr.; children Suzanne, Jimmy, Anita, Sheila, Keith, Doug; her grandchildren David, Michelle, JD, James, Beau, Shannon, Jon, Keith Jr, and Michael; her sisters Doris and Priscilla; her half sisters Patricia and Jackie; and nineteen great grandchildren. Services were held at Ravensworth Baptist Church, Annandale Virginia, 25 May 2012. Kit was laid to rest in Fairfax Memorial Park, Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA.

Throughout her life, Kit was a gregarious and enthusiastic woman one who instilled love of family in all her children. She was generous in sharing her personal attributes, giving and helping those she knew and loved. She would often fill the role of coach, bringing out the best in everyone. She was imaginative, original, creative, tender hearted and easy to get along with. Kit leaves behind her a legacy of life-long friendships and cherished memories. Everyone whose lives she touched will dearly remember Mrs. Norma Kate Holley Parker.

Rest In Peace - Till We Meet Again!

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Norma Kate Parker, age 84, a resident of Springfield, Virginia passed away on May 20, 2012 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She was born in Montgomery Alabama on August 30, 1927. She is survived by her loving husband James Ernest Parker, Sr. after 63 years of marriage; six children, Suzanne E. Parker, James E. Parker, Jr., Anita M. Lawrence, Sheila A. Miller, Keith A. Parker and William D. Parker; four sisters, Doris Dalack, Priscella Burnum, Patricia Springfield and Jackie Moffitt; nine grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Thursday, May 24, 2012 from 6-8pm at Demaine Chapel Springfield. Funeral Service will be at her longtime home church Ravensworth Baptist Church 5100 Ravensworth Road Annandale, Virginia 22003 on Friday, May 25, 2012 at 11:00am. Burial will follow at Fairfax Memorial Park 9902 Braddock Road Fairfax, Virginia. Arrangements entrusted to Demaine Funeral Springfield 5308 Backlick Road Springfield, VA 22151, 703-549-0074, demainefunerals.com