Mary Elizabeth Parker

Mary Elizabeth was the second of two children born to Samuel and Frances Hall on October 22, 1911 in Baltimore, Maryland. She attended the public schools of Baltimore and was graduated from Frederick Douglass High School in February 1930. She married Calvin W. Parker, and from that union had four children. Her husband was her best friend, companion, rock and center of her life for 58 years before he died in 1989. Her love for the well being of her family and all children never stopped, and stands as a model for those who emulate her. She didn’t work outside of the home for long periods of time. Other than her family, one of her most rewarding experiences was working at School #145 as a child’s aid. She once said that if things had been different, she would have enjoyed running a nursery school in her home.Because she was at home with a disabled daughter most of the time, she didn’t attend church on a regular basis in her youth, but she did send her other children to church with their father and later to Sunday school. Her religious training and inspiration came from her father. Although he was not a learned man, he read the Bible and practiced what he preached. He was never heard to raise his voice or speak an angry word to or about anyone. She was married by the Rev. Tongue, who was an assistant pastor of the old Whatcoat Church, and her association with Union Memorial goes back to that time. After her children were grown, and Union Memorial moved to its present location (near her Home), she went back to church and became a member of the 3-F Unit, the organization to which her mother had also belonged. Mary Parker was also member of the Senior Citizens Group and the United Methodist Women. She was not a person who took leadership roles or offices, but was a loyal and dedicated member supporting all church programs in her quiet manner.She enjoyed playing pinochle and participating in crafts, especially needlepoint. Mary learned her craft at the Waxter Center. She assisted the Arts and Crafts Group of Union in making souvenir bookmarks for the church’s Centennial Banquet. One of her ambitions was to be able to sing the hymns of the church. She declared she couldn’t carry a tune in a truck, but she loved to hear the music. Some of her favorites were “One Day at a Time,” (which is not only a hymn, but a motto by which she lived), “Precious Lord,” “When We All Get to Heaven,” and “His Eye is on the sparrow.” Mary had a burning desire to do whatever she could to make the world around her a better place for everyone, especially children.Mrs. Parker leaves to mourn four children: Delores Kerr, Jean, Calvin Jr., and Reginald Parker; four grandchildren, David Kerr, Kimberly Parker, Calvin Parker III, and Mary Beth McBurnett; six great grandchildren, a daughter-in-law, Anita Parker; a special, devoted friend and caregiver, Mary Speaks; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Mary Elizabeth Parker

October 22, 1911 - June 6, 2004