“I fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; and now the prize of victory is waiting for me which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me on that day.”
On this day, April 28th, 1991, 27 years ago, our Father went to be with the Lord. On this day, April 28th, 2018, 27 years later, our Mother Mary Parker transitioned from this life to be with her First Love, The Lord Jesus Christ, and reunited with the love of her life, John Eddie Parker, in heaven.
Mary Parker was born July 23, 1920 in Brownsville, Tennessee to Coy & Ozelia Jennings who both preceded her in death. She had four brothers and three sisters who preceded her in death: Oscar D. Jennings, Clifton Jennings, Carl Jennings, J.W. Jennings, Sadie Sanders, Lucille Maddrie, and Flora Walton.
After moving to Gobler, Missouri she was united in holy matrimony to John Eddie Parker on October 31, 1938; to their union 14 children were born.
In Gobler, Missouri she united with New Bethel Baptist Church and served in the choir for many years. The family moved to Jackson, Michigan in 1970 and united with New Macedonia Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. J. L.Terry and later Rev. Charles Hudson. She served as a faithful deaconess and choir member for 10 years. The family united with Lily Missionary Baptist Church in 1980 under the leadership of Rev. W.G. Wade. Mother Parker served as a choir member, church mother deaconess and missionary for many years. She later served under the leadership of Pastor James L. Hines.
In 1994 she united with the Word of Light Center under the leadership of her grandson, Pastor Wayne White, where she served as a faithful mother of the church.
Mother Parker was an honorary member of Mount Hope Community Church for five years under the leadership of Pastor Tim Mullins, where she served and worshipped the Lord until her passing.
Mother Parker was a true servant of God and loved the Lord with her whole heart. Her favorite scripture was 23 Psalms. Her favorite sayings were, “The Lord is, and I shall not,” “To God be the Glory,” “This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it,” and “God is love.”
She was a virtuous woman, a powerful prayer warrior, and a true servant of God. She loved her family more than life. She loved everybody as her own and was a true example of what God’s love looks like on earth. Her beautiful smile radiated from the inside out and filled the atmosphere. She would say, “You are all my children.”
Mother Parker was a devoted and loving wife of 52 years. She was truly an angel among us sent from heaven. She was the matriarch of the family and will be immensely missed by all.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, John Eddie Parker; two daughters, Evelyn Taylor and Patsy Lavon Parker; and two sons, John Alvin Parker and Michael Ray Parker.
Mother Parker leaves to cherish her beautiful memory: four daughters, Dorothy White, Joyce E. Hicks (Melvin) Annie O. Hayward (Joe), all of Jackson, Michigan and Patricia Lowder of Lakeland, Florida; six sons, Freddie Lee (Jessie), Carl G. (Molly), Fredrick E. (Diane), Charles H. (Kipp) and Anthony S. (Andrea), all of Jackson Michigan, Robert Lee (Mira), of Chicago Illinois; one daughter-in-law, Wilma Parker of Dayton, Ohio; son-in-law Ossie White Sr. of Jackson MI.; one special sister, Helen McCode, of Sacramento, California; a legacy of six generations: forty-one grandchildren, one hundred and three great-grandchildren, seventy two great-great grandchildren, three great-great-great grandchildren – a total of two hundred thirty two decedents; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
We would like to pay tribute to Andrea Parker and say “Thank You” from the bottom of our hearts to our very special sister who mom called her “Special Angel”. Andrea showed unconditional love to our mother and cared for her as her own! Special thank you to Dorothy White, Anthony Parker Sr., Anthony Parker Jr., Ashlyn Parker and Maryl Gibson. Special thanks to care givers RoseMary Moore, Mona Boyd, and Linda Enyart.
Mother Parker’s home going celebration, will be held at Lily Missionary Baptist Church, Saturday May 5, 2018 at 12:00 P.M. with the family hour beginning at 10:00 A.M. Viewing will be held at Lily Missionary Baptist Church, Friday 4-8 P.M.
