Mrs. Rosa Mae Parker

Rosa Mae Parker was born on May 22, 1934 in Morganville, Alabama. She was raised in Montgomery Alabama and graduated from George Washington Carver High School. Our father was a construction who traveled wherever there was work. Mama moved to Newport News, Virginia to take care of our father after being in a car accident. Newport News has been her home ever since. Mama worked at Riverside Hospital for over 45 years. When she retired from full time employment she was the Supervisor of the Bakery Department. (Anyone who knew her got to taste some of her wonderful baking creations.) She still worked part time for Riverside when they needed her. Rosa P (as she was affectionate called) loved then Lord and in turned she loved others. She showed her love through her food. She was always cooking to give to others. When she had to spend time in the hospital she would tell us “it’s a pie in the freezer, take that to so and so “they may have been sick or had a death in their family and she wanted them to know she was thinking about them. She never let her sickness stop her from doing the great commission. She would minister to doctors, nurses, and environmental service workers it made no difference they were all the same, “God’s children”. If she had a roommate in the hospital. Mama was always asking if they were alright and once one of us showed up, we had to check on them too. Mama was also known for her fashion sense. “Diva” as we called her could be spotted in any crowd wearing one of her many hats. It drove her crazy when we didn’t dress to her satisfaction or our hair wasn’t styled properly. We couldn’t touch her stylishness, so we didn’t try. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Willie James Parker, mother; Susan Russell Parks, her brother James Russell. She leaves behind to cherish her memory; six children Gloria McCright, Rosalind Peele(Randolph), Willie Mae Parker, James Parker(Renita), Karen and Anthony Parker all of Newport News, three sisters; Ola Johnson(Willie) of Montgomery Alabama; Claudia Cannon (David) of Union, New Jersey; and Frankie Jenkins of Hope Hull, Alabama; 11 grandchildren; Tony McCright, Jr. of Mitchellville, Md; Ayla, Twania, Shaun, Marquetta, Latoya, Olashaun, Anita, Jamicia and James Parker, Jr., and Anthony Clark of Phoenix, AZ; 7 great grandchildren; Shyla and Justin McCright of Md; Amina Rhames, Ashauna, Mahogany Parker; Berriana Grey, Dynasty Browna and Nevaeh Parker; 3 Aunts; Mary Watkins of Hope Hull, Alabama, Mary Bradswell of Montgomery, Alabama and Adell Brown of Georgia and cousin Eugene Parks who was like a brother also from Montgomery, Alalbama; Brothers in law; Willie Hale (Regina) of Houston, Texas and Percy Hale(Glenda) of Ohio and a host of relatives and friends. The family would like to thank Aunt Gloria Jones for being her friend and confident for over 45 years. Homegoing services will be held Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 1 p.m. Zion Baptist Church 633 20th Street. Viewing will be Wednesday, April 29, 2009 from 12 until 6 p.m. at M.E. Fisher Funeral Home 2117 Madison Avenue.

Mrs. Rosa Mae Parker

May 22, 1934 - April 24, 2009