Mary Louise Parker

She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Proverbs 3:15 On May 3, 1934, Mary Louise was born to Mary Catherine Wilkins and John Hall in Birmingham, Alabama. She was welcomed by her older siblings Charles, Alfred, and Bernice who all preceded Mary in death. Mary was a precocious child always looking and learning and not being afraid to try new things. She attended Rosedale High School where she was very active in school activities and in sports and she eventually became a majorette for her high school band. After graduating high school, Mary decided to become active in her family restaurant business. She also helped her mother with her budding cosmetics business. While working with her mother, she met her future husband, Mr. Bobby Parker. They eventually fell in love and made plans to marry. However, Bobby was drafted into the army to serve during the Korean conflict. Mary and Bobby resumed their relationship after he was discharged and came back to Birmingham. They were eventually married and had three daughters, Anita, Bonita, and Kathy. After years of living in Birmingham, Mary and Bobby relocated to Los Angeles, California in 1962. In Los Angeles, Mary was primarily a homemaker. Nevertheless, she found time to be a Housing Assistant to several Hollywood producers. She also served as a Teacher's Aide. After accepting Christ as her personal Savior, Mary became an active leader in her church. She served as an usher, choir member, Sunday school teacher, holiday event coordinator, and her most cherished assignment as a Deaconess. In 1991, Mary relocated to Georgia after her husband's retirement. After moving to Georgia, Mary started her own cleaning business in addition to continuing to serve faithfully in many capacities in the Church of God and many other ministries. However, her best and most prized position was that of being a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and most recently a great-great grandmother. Mary's feistiness, quick wit, and ability to laugh in any situation will always be treasured. Her ability to "tell you off" with a look will forever be remembered. Her legacy will continue through her daughters, Anita (Ed), Bonita (Darnell), Kathy (Ivan); ten grandchildren, Ereyn, Ethan (Avis), Kevin (Miesha), Ivan Jr., Di'Ara, Kiana, Darnell II, DiAna (deceased), De'Ondre, Isaiah; Twenty-five great-grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren. She also leaves her beloved sister, Cornelia Carey; and sister-in-law, Earlene; God-children, Calvin and Kim Waddy; and family, and a host of many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, others, and all who called her Mom or Grandma. Mary carried herself with grace and elegance, but she would always manage to find humor in some of life's most difficult situations. She raised her daughters to love God, love family, and to love others. She admonished those around her to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path." (Proverbs 3:5-6) and for being the woman that she was... "Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28