Evelyn Alice Parker

Evelyn Alice (née Carey) Parker, age 86, of Fort Wayne, Indiana passed away just after midnight on October 15, 2024 . She was born on November 9, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan to the late Herman and Neva (née Harshman) Carey.

After a family relocation, when Evelyn was 12 years old, from Detroit, Michigan to South Whitley, Indiana, Evelyn spent the remainder of her childhood years around extended family. She graduated from South Whitley High School in 1956. Deciding to forego a college scholarship offer in music, she went on to work at Lincoln Life Insurance and Chamberlin Products where she met the love of her life, and future husband, Kenton Parker.

Married on July 26, 1958, Kenton, Evelyn and their children spent a few years living in South Whitley as well as California before landing in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1965. She remained in Fort Wayne where they raised their family. Evelyn was very active in her church, her neighborhood, and mostly her children's lives. She always made sure the whole family went to each others activities whether it was choir concerts, swim meets, or athletic events. The Parkers spent many summers together at Avalon Pool and Elmhurst Little League where the family's obsession with baseball began.

As her children grew, Evelyn returned to the work force where she spent 29 years employed by Fort Wayne Community Schools, all at Maplewood Elementry, as secretary to the principal. She loved everything about Maplewood School, the staff and students alike. Even in retirement, Evelyn and other school friends, remained active members of "The Pineapple Club".

Evelyn had many interests including lunching with friends, picking up a frozen coke whenever possible, shopping (often starting Christimas buying in July), devouring books (waiting for the next Danielle Steel) and vacationing to Tennessee with every single grandchild. Mostly she loved and was so proud of her entire family. Few knew that Evelyn was also an avid writer. She wrote many poems and stories that will be held in her family's heart forever. Taken from "Decide to Be Happy'" by Evelyn Parker, 1987 . . .

"Make someone else happy, that's really the key, DECIDE TO BE HAPPY, and SURPRISE you will be!"

Evelyn is survived by her three children, Linda (Wayne Charvat) Battaglia, Brian (Kaye) Parker, and Brent (Ranelle) Parker; eight grandchildren, Anna (Korey Foreman) Hendrix, Melissa (Chris) Hargett, Chase Parker, Justin (Angela) Parker, Joseph Battaglia Jr., Jarrod Parker, Kenton James (Jessica Barr) Battaglia and Krista (Brad) Harris; six great-grandchildren, Sadie, Louis, Abigail, Cameron, Harper and Parker; and many nieces and nephews who knew her as "Aunt Sis." She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenton Parker; parents, Herman and Neva Carey; siblings, Sharlene (Robert) Gruwell, James Carey, and John Carey; and granddaughter, Gina Lynn Battaglia.

Funeral service is 1:00 pm, Friday, November 1, 2024 at D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Covington Knolls, 8325 Covington Rd., Fort Wayne with calling two hours prior.

Interment at South Whitley Cemetery, South Whitley, Ind.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be directed to Kate's Kart, 10376 Leo Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46825.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Parker family.