Stephanie Denise Parker

Stephanie Denise Parker was born on July 25, 1965, in Seattle, Washington, to her proud parents, Wendell Parker and Alice Marie Parker. She went home to be with the Lord on June 6, 2025, after a courageous fight with an aggressive form of clear cell adenocarcinoma (cancer).

Stephanie was the youngest of three daughters and was best of friends with her older sisters, Sharon Lynn and Charlese Marie, whom she grew up with on 27th Avenue in Seattle’s Central District. As children they played together and attended school together, and as adults spent family gatherings together and worshipped together.

Stephanie would start her education being bussed from the Central District to the North end of Seattle as part of the School District’s desegregation program beginning in kindergarten. She attended Wedgwood Elementary, Jane Addams Junior High School, and Nathan Hale High School, all in Seattle. She and her sisters would get up early each morning and share a single bathroom as they prepared for the cross-town bus ride to school. During her elementary and junior high school days, Stephanie participated in scouting as a Brownie and a Girl Scout. She also played the piano and was showcased in Jane Addams’ annual talent show.

In addition to her extracurricular activities, Stephanie was an excellent student and held a place on the Honor Society throughout her junior high and high school tenure. At both levels of education, Stephanie was elevated to Honors Programs for Language Arts, History and Mathematics. She was a voracious reader and had a diverse collection of books in her library. Stephanie was a daily watcher of Jeopardy, answering many of the questions with great accuracy. She also loved music and had an eclectic collection of albums and CDs. Teena Marie was one of her favorite R&B artists and she loved to listen to “Portuguese Love” and “Square Biz”. Yolanda Adams was one of her favorite Gospel artists and she loved “The Battle is the Lord’s”.

Stephanie graduated from Nathan Hale High School in 1983. She would follow in her oldest sister’s footsteps choosing the University of Washington in Seattle for her undergraduate college experience. She graduated in June 1987 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. After graduation, Stephanie began her career with Seafirst Bank, which would later become Bank of America, working as an automotive banking specialist for many years. After Bank of America, she would end her professional career at Goodwill Industries as an instructor and facilitator for their job training and job placement programs. She felt her role there was a ministry, which was reinforced by numerous words of appreciation from the students who found new careers as a result of her preparation. After leaving Goodwill, Stephanie served as a caregiver for her beloved mother until she departed this life to be with the Lord in 2016.

Stephanie loved the Lord with all of her heart and had a powerful relationship with her Savior, which was particularly evident as she went through chemotherapy and the aftermath of her illness. Her unwavering faith and positive spirit were an inspiration to those around her as she never complained and always found a way to encourage others. She can be remembered telling family members, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain!” She was a strong Christian woman and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in her youth. She joined Mount Zion Baptist Church in Seattle, Washington, at the age of nine after hearing their Sunday worship service on the radio. She was baptized by Rev. Dr. Samuel B. McKinney at Washington Baptist Church while Mount Zion’s sanctuary was being remodeled in 1974. Stephanie was an active member of Mount Zion, beginning with membership in the Junior (Children’s) Choir under the direction of Rev. Patrinell Wright, who were regularly invited to sing at other churches in the area. She, along with her sisters, regularly attended Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and the summer revivals. She would later join the Chapel (Youth) Choir as a soprano under the direction of Phyllis Byrdwell. Stephanie loved singing and praising the Lord through music.

Stephanie joined New Beginnings Christian Fellowship (NBCF) in 2005, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Leslie D. Braxton, and considered NBCF to be her second family. Church is where she formed some of her closest friendships. She served as a faithful member of the Music and Worship Arts Ministry singing in the Psalmist Choir as a soprano, along with the Women’s Choir and the Mass Choir. She was also an active participant in NBCF’s Adult Bible Study and Intercessory Prayer Ministry, which she looked forward to attending even during her illness.

Stephanie was a loving and caring daughter, sister, aunt, co-worker, and friend. She loved gathering with her family for holidays—-especially Christmas and Thanksgiving—-and was deeply committed to her family members. She will be remembered for her generosity to her family and various charities, as well as her concern for the well-being of others. Although Stephanie did not have children of her own, she and her nephew, Nile, formed a very special bond that was likened to that of a second mother and her son. Stephanie’s genuine smile, giving spirit, wonderful sense of humor, and inspirational devotion to Jesus Christ were her trademarks. Her kind heart and warm embrace will be greatly missed.

Stephanie was preceded in death by her parents, Wendell and Alice Parker; maternal grandparents, Fleming and Annie Butler; and paternal grandparents, Sherd Parker, Sr. and Ribbie Harrison Parker. She leaves to cherish her loving memories her beloved sisters, Sharon Hunter, of Seattle, WA, and Charlese Jackson, of Bellevue, WA; brother-in-law, Ron Hunter, of Seattle, WA; step-brother, Wendell Parker, Jr., of Derby, KS; uncle, Jimmie (Mattie) Butler, of Everett, WA; nephews, Nile Hunter, of Seattle, WA; Alexander Johnson, of Atlanta, GA; Kedric Jackson II, of Seattle, WA; Marcel (Danesha) Jackson, Kedric Jackson III, Jordan Jackson, Marcel Jackson II and Harlem Jackson, of Burien, WA; nieces, Ronnisha (Brandon) Smith, of Federal Way, WA; Harmony Jackson, Anai Jackson, Le’Ayjah Jackson and Aleia Jackson, of Burien, WA; and a host of relatives and friends.

Interment will be held Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 11:00am, at Evergreen Washelli, 11111 Aurora Avenue N., Seattle. Memorial service will be held Friday, July 25, 2025, 11:00am, at NBCF, 19300 108th Avenue SE, Kent. A repast will follow the service.