“IN HER OWN WORDS”
Virginia M. Jenkins-Parker Matriarch, both sides of family. The 7th child born to Henrietta Pittman, Rochester, New York, delivered into the universe by maternal grandmother, Mary Johnson.
From the age of 3-17 years was raised in foster care in rural farming area of Caledonia, New York.
Attended catholic school through elementary grade, graduated from York Central High School Top 5 of her graduating class. Awarded full scholarship to Hampton Institute by the Federation of Negro Women (did not attend, she chose marriage & family). Later years she achieved accredited certified college courses at her various places of employment, and courses of study at Rochester Business Institute, Monroe Community College, Rochester New York, University of Rochester, and Cosumnes River College Sacramento California (Medical Terminology). Her Major was Psychology, minored in Public Relations, Human Resources, Public Speaking. She mastered them all.
Her husband James Parker, predeceased her in 1983. They were blessed with five Children, whom she lovingly, with a grin, called “her five Bae, Bae Kids,” ‘The PARKER FIVE’ James Jr. (Butch), (Diana), Larry (Brenda), Colleen, Randy (Carolyn), and Traycie. The one goal of her life she did not accomplish was to raise a foster child along with her biological children, but she went on to have many surrogate children she dearly loved.
Church Affiliation
1950’s Aenon Baptist 100 Voice Choir Member Rochester NY, Harrods Creek and Kenwood Baptist Louisville, KY Missionary and Church Mother.
Employment & Activist
Prior to the Civil Rights Movement, just out of High School she was employed at the strong Memorial Hospital Main Entrance Receptionist, Information Desk, Rochester General and Highland Hospitals as Medical Secretary/Receptionist and Surgical Tech. After Civil Rights Bill was signed, she was recruited and employed and integrated the following places of employment. As 1st Black Woman, Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Newspaper, Council of Social Agencies, Receptionist for President & Vice President , Community Savings Bank; Administrative Assistant to the Monroe County Coordinator for Day Care of Red Cross Child Care Training Facilities, Xerox Corporation, Rochester Institute of Technology, Admin Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs and ARC (Mental Health).
She retired from Xerox – May – 1987, Sacramento, CA and final retirement ARC – August, 2004, age 75. Civil Rights movement – In Her 30’s she joined the Reverend Jesse Jackson Operation Push/ Rainbow Coalition, the Freedom Riders and SCC Member. Through Church Ministries (predominately Black) Attended Rallies, Planning Meetings, marches, in Rochester, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, New York City, Chicago , Indiana, Georgia, and Washington, DC. It was a very, very, frightening, exciting and enlightening time, she met the notable leadership of the movement and many others whose names were never mentioned in the movement history. Later years in, she continued the activism. Sacramento California she met up with Shirley Chisolm at the Jesse Jackson Presidential Bid Rally. Met former, San Francisco Mayor Bradley, Willie Brown, Maxine Waters and Judge Alice Lytle, Professor Ester Nelson and other black, notables of the time, she joined the Sacramento Black Women's Network, Member Board of Directors YMCA and Female Lawyers of Northern California
Political.
She was Ballot Box elected as Democrat Committee Woman for the 25th Legislative District. She served 3 years.
To her family and all those who touched her life in so many ways, she was thankful, humbled, strengthened and enlightened on their life journey.
At the time of her retirements, she received wall plaques from Top Administrative Assistant from Xerox and the ARC Mental Health that defined her as that woman who was a success.
She loved life and lived it to the fullest, who discovered and showed the strength and talent that were uniquely her own, who put her best into each, and left each situation better, than she found it, who sought and found that which was beautiful in all people and in all things, whose heart was full of love and warm with compassion and who joy in living and peace within herself.
She was awarded many plaques, awards, certificates for the organizations she served, president (2 terms), Rochester-Genesee Valley Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, She combined the 2 Clubs from the individual organization. She was awarded the prestigious Sojourner Truth Award in 1975, whose life paralleled that of Sojourner Truth. President (2 Terms) Women's Auxiliary, Pennington Moore VFW Post, Member Estella Chapter, #13, Order of Eastern Stars, Heroines of Jericho Prince Hall, New York Jurisdiction.
Hobbies: Reading, Word Puzzles, and Crocheting. She made many, many baby blankets, and Afghans. A few she sold if special ordered, all others given as gifts (she called it her missionary work).
She is survived by “The Parker Five,” Brother; Nicholas Perry, Rochester New York and Grandchildren, Great, Great, Grandchildren, Great, Great, Nieces and Nephews(too numerous to List and Count).
SHE leaves HER Words of Wisdom and Truth:
LOVE To all who touched her life
LIGHT You all were shining lights and the wind beneath my wings
PEACE As you go forward on your life Journey with the Creators guidance may you feel the Joy & Hope to Stay Strong in the Struggle
A memorial service will be held at Arch L. Heady Westport Village 7410 Westport Rd. Louisville, KY on Monday June 28 at 4pm.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18