Sheldon Glen Parker

On January 26,2019 at his Chicago, Illinois home, Sheldon Glen Parker reached out to touch the hand of the God. After 66 years of a joyful and successful life, Sheldon joined his parents, Augustus Guy Parker(of Littleton,NC) and Lucille Howard Parker (Washington,DC),and his older brothers and sisters (George, Lawrence, Sharon, and Delores (Sissy), all of Baltimore,MD in the eternal rest in which they all believed. Aside from a very challenging but fulfilling life, Sheldon had been the beloved "baby brother"in the family that delighted in and supported one another, whether close at home or in a far distance. An extraordinary, jovial personality with a huge heart and a great smile and fiesty temper when he felt aggrieved, Sheldon drew his family and friends into a warm and intimate embrace of love and care without effort; his heart was large and easily opened- and his tongue was fierce if he felt his or he was wrongly redressed. Upon coming into a room, he readily embraced- and was embraced by-all around him. A graduated of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and Morgan State College (now Morgan State University), Sheldon grew up in his beloved East Baltimore, on Biddle Street and later Beryl Avenue, but lost his father when he (Sheldon) was only two years old. Older brothers Lawrence and Donald became his companions, his baby sitters, and his mentors relationships of profound love and respect; his brothers loved and cared for him, and Sheldon respected the bonds forged in their early lives. His brothers became the men in his life. They and the guidance and support of a great support of great neighbors and friends (more life family) of the Clemment Davis Family, Sheldon completed Herring Run Middle School, entered "Poly" and was graduated in 1970, after completing "Poly" rigorous "A Course " program and having been a proud Poly wrestler. He enrolled at Morgan State College immediately following his high school graduation without questioning how he'd get though,as Lawrence and Donald had been the models before him. After receiving his Bachelor of Science Degree as a Political Science major, Sheldon began an outstanding career in the insurance industry,working as a highly success claims representative for major insurance companies from East Coast to the West Coast and finally in the Midwest, where he settled into his favorite of his favorite of home in the South Loop community in Chicago, exceeding his own career expectation at the CNA Insurance Company as Director of Claims Services. His experiences in the industry from 1979 until his retirement in 2018 were honed through his work for Allstate and USF and G in Baltimore,and CNA in California, before coming to Chicago in the 1996. In 2006,Sheldon received the CNA's Chairman's Award for stella national performance. His marriage to Pamela in May 1979 was complemented by their interests in the insurance industry ,home design,travel,Southern food, Baltimore crabs cakes,and their children, Danielle(Parker) and Kahlil (Chappelle). Though their children lived on the East Coast, they were frequently home with Sheldon and Pam ,with whom they shared in Sheldon and Pam's great love of travel,music,history,sports, and the many cultural experiences in Chicago. Among his proudest moments were Kahlil and Danielle's college graduations, and Danielle's entering the insurance industry with Allstate in Baltimore, Hunt Valley and Columbia, MD, as well as her being mentored by some of Sheldon's former ,favorite Maryland collegaes. Sheldon also took great pride in the recent graduation of his granddaughter Courtnei from Delaware State University and her currently working in the finance industry. A great and opinion conversationalist,Sheldon loved a long talk and a good argument. Kahlil remembers his extraordinary relationship with his stepdad who inculcated in him great family values,a deep sense of family traditions,expecially Christmas, and a great regard for education and professional acumen. "Sheldon was a great role model for a boy growing into manhood. He was also great in a friendly debate, but he never changed his mind, regardless of other's better facts. His love of East Baltimore ,Baltimore Polytechnic, and his visits with his family ,and expecially with Donald at Christmas,were ever parts of his conversations. Every trip to Baltimore included an outing to East Baltimore,the Lexington Market, a drive by Poly,and a few crab cakes. Grounded in his faith,early inspired by his parents and informed and enriched in his early baptism at Fountain Baptist Church, Sheldon later found a great relationship in the True Rock Ministries of Chicago and in its exceptional commitment to serving those in need,and in the rich Christian,spiritual relationship that was forged through its minister, Pastor Earl Grandberry,Sr 'Pastor' eventually became one of Sheldon's confidants.Sheldon was encouraged by Pastor's daily thought emails. On Saturday ,January 26,2019,just two days after the sale of Pam's framing business, and as they were making final plans to "sell his house and come home return to the Baltimore region as they would be retired together and be close to family- Sheldon slipped the surly bonds of Earth....His warm,vibrant person will be sorely missed.and those who love him will mourn;his wife of 39 years Pamela Parker;children Danielle Parker and Kahlil Chappelle; granddaughter Courtnei Parker-Morgan; brothers,Donald(JoAnn) Parker and Henry Parker;and a host of nieces ,nephews,cousins and many friends especially "The Beryl Avenue Boys."

Tributes

Sheldon Glen Parker

September 18, 1952 - January 26, 2019