Francine Beaufordean Parker

Francine Parker was born January 11, 1950, in Spotsylvania, Virginia to the late Frederick and Bernice Parker. She departed this life on September 13, 2022, after a four-month battle after suffering a heart attack and a five-year journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Francine was the oldest daughter and third of six children. Known as “Sister” she grew up in a multi-generational home with her grandparents and mother. Francine was educated at John J. Wright Consolidated School in Spotsylvania, Virginia. She was a majorette, learned to play the clarinet, and the trampoline was her favorite part of gym. There her and her sisters became known as the “Prissy Parker Sisters.” She was the last in her family to graduate from a segregated school.

After graduating from high school, Francine left the only home she knew to venture to Washington, DC looking for employment despite being told she “Would never make it.” She found employment in the telecommunications industry with C & P Telephone Company/Bell Atlantic in DC. There she developed friendships that have lasted over 50 years. Francine held several positions during her tenure in the industry. She was a dedicated employee and retired from Verizon after 30 years. After taking some time to rest, she returned to the workforce and held several positions. Her second chapter was primarily spent at Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Andrews Child Development Center on Andrews Joint Base, and contracting with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Her final position was held as a parking enforcer with the Prince George’s County Police Department at National Harbor, Maryland. Although she was implementing parking laws again, she developed lasting friendships with her co-workers and the shopkeepers as well as enjoyed meeting people who visited every day.

After her time in DC, Francine moved to Bladensburg, Maryland where she established roots and was a resident for almost 40 years. In Bladensburg is where she started her family. With her beau, Elliott W. Jackson, Jr., they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, LaToye Tennille Jackson, affectionately known as “Toye.” Francine poured into her daughter the knowledge that she held. She ensured Toye experienced enrichment through early education, extracurricular activities, traveling, and especially time with family.

Although Francine never married, she was fortunate enough to have two loves in her life. After Elliott’s passing, she was introduced by a family friend to Gregory Ford. He came along at just the right time. For twenty years, the pair spent their time traveling, trips to various casinos, date nights to the movies, and a rivalry over who’s football team was better.

Francine worked hard and always took pride in everything she earned. She ensured her home and car were always taken care of. When she was not putting in work, Francine split her time between Maryland and her hometown in Virginia. Francine enjoyed spending time with her family and friends especially enjoying fellowship over food. Her nieces and nephews loved spending time with their “Favorite” Aunt Fran. She loved to travel, was an avid movie goer and enjoyed dancing, especially line dancing and hand dancing. And she also liked to play the lotto, visit a casino here and there, and never missed a football pool. Francine was a devoted Redskins fan and always rooted for the home team. Francine dedicated her life to the Lord at an early age at Branch Fork Baptist Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia. She later became a member of Marlboro Meadows Baptist Church/Victory Life Center in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. There she became a devoted member of the Usher Ministry. In her last chapter in life, she was overjoyed to spend time with her 3 grandsons. Whenever Toye and the boys went on outings and trips, “Ma-Ma” was there to help and have fun.

When Francine was young, she wanted to be a flight attendant. As an adult, she aspired to open a combination youth and senior daycare center. Although those dreams never manifested, she still lived a life of aide and counsel. She would always say she wanted to be 100 in a miniskirt. That image would have been a memorable one. She may not have made it to 100 years old, but she still made a lasting impression in the lives she touched.

She was preceded in death by her brothers and two sisters-in-law, Leroy Anderson (Betteen) and Frederick Parker (Dianne). She leaves to continue her legacy, her daughter Toye and son-in-law Jeffrey; grandsons Jaxon, Jordan and Jeremy; and her beau Greg. She leaves her sisters and two brothers-in-law Tinna Lewis (Bernard), Ellenora Brooks (Charles) and brother Elisha Parker; her favorite nieces and nephews, her favorite great nieces and nephews, relatives, and lifelong friends to grieve her passing.

A visitation for Francine will be held Wednesday, October 5, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Fort Lincoln Funeral Home, 3401 Bladensburg Rd, Brentwood, Maryland 20722.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.fort-lincoln.com for the Parker family.