Ina Parker

Ina was the youngest of 5 children born to George and Willie Paul Williams. She always said that she had to fight to come into the world and then fight to stay here—and she did. Despite many challenges in her life, she was always able to overcome and lived life on her terms. Anyone who knew Ina knew that she always “told it like it was” and she stood up for herself and her needs while also giving so much of herself to those she loved.

While she never had children of her own, she spent her life taking care of the children she “adopted” along the way. She married Thomas Hamilton Parker in 1983, becoming stepmother to his three daughters, Patricia (Lassiter), Diane (Jennings), and Barbara (McRoy). When asked if her longtime caregiver, Carolyn Hoffman, was her daughter, she said, “May as well be”—and that how she looked at all of the “family” she chose to bring into her life over the years. She helped raise many of her nieces and nephews, neighborhood children and children from her church and called them her “babies.”

She held various jobs over the years but was most proud of her volunteer work for The Salvation Army. She walked the children across the street from their elementary school to the after-school program, spent summers with the Summer Day Camp, washed t-shirts and linens, cleaned up after meals, and whatever else was needed. She served as the Welcome Sergeant for The Salvation Army, greeting all who entered for Sunday services and “charging” them a hug to receive their program.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Willie Paul Williams—as well as step-mother “Mama Susie,” sisters Ruby (O’Connor) and Betsy (Gleaton) and brothers George and Clayton and her husband Tom. Ina is survived by her stepdaughters, several grandchildren and great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews—and so many others who she called daughters, sons, sisters and brothers along with “her babies” and very dear friends.

A funeral service for Ina will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Tara Garden Chapel, 681 North Ave, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236. Following the funeral service will be an interment at Camp Memorial Park, 1095 GA-54E, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

A funeral service for Ina will be held Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM at Tara Garden Chapel, 681 North Ave, Jonesboro, Georgia 30236. Following the funeral service will be an interment at Camp Memorial Park, 1095 GA-54E, Fayetteville, GA 30214.

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