Joan Ruth Boyd Parker

JOAN RUTH BOYD-PARKER, passed into the loving arms of her Lord this Christmas Day after her battle with lung cancer. Joan was born on April 30, 1939 in Long Island, New York. Her family moved to Houston where she graduated from San Jacinto High School and also became a model for Sakowitz of Houston. She attended the University of Houston where she met her husband of 53 years, Marvin Daniel Parker. The family moved to Oklahoma City then to Columbia, Missouri where she was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi sorority and in 1968 was selected for the National Honor of Outstanding Women of America. The family then moved to Wilmington, Delaware and to Athens, Greece. Joan traveled throughout the Caribbean, Europe, Middle East and Africa. Once returning to Houston, Joan became a Parent Counselor for the Palmer Drug Abuse Program then achieved her Real Estate licensure. Joan’s career included working for prominent real estate establishments before her retirement in 2006 from the state corporate office of ReMax of Texas. In 2000, Joan and Marvin suffered the loss of their two children, Michael and Diana. Joan became deeply involved with Compassionate Friends and was a member of the First United Methodist Church. Joan was an avid swimmer, reader, gourmet cook, gardener, interior designer and world traveler with a deep love for the beach. She is survived by her husband, Marvin; her daughter, Dr. Patricia A. Parker, DVM; grandchildren, Casey and Michelle Hamilton, Kate Travis, Courtney and Michael Parker, Jr.; and great-grandchildren, Karen and Walker. Visitation will be 2 - 5 PM on Friday, January 1, 2010 at Forest Park Westheimer. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, January 2, 2010 in the chapel of Forest Park Westheimer with a graveside service to follow.