Ruth E. Parker - Funeral Program

A Life to Remember Ruth Elaine Parker (known as R. Elaine Parker) was born in McDowell County, West Virginia on August 31, 1924, to Ernest and Naomi Reynolds. She was one of five children.

At the age of four, Elaine lost her mother due to pneumonia. Several years later her father also became ill and would eventually be hospitalized indefinitely. When Elaine asked if she could go to stay with her Grandmother while he was away, her father’s initial response was “no.” However, in answer to her prayers that same night, her father decided to allow her to go to live with her maternal grandmother, Bettie Hairston, and her grandfather, John Hairston, in Martinsville, Virginia.

In her grandparent’s home, she would not only realize her dream of obtaining an education, she would also be nurtured in her faith and character. Her grandmother often recited Bible verses, and her grandfather, a respected deacon in the church, would sing church hymns and pray out loud on many occasions after dinner. She recalled enjoying long talks with Grandmother Bettie and listening to her special stories. She would later apply them to her own life and instill them in her own children and others. Her education and time with her grandmother also inspired her love of poetry.

In 1942, she graduated from the Henry County Training School in Martinsville, Virginia. She then went on to attend the Saint Agnes School of Nursing in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she was also selected to receive special training with the United States Cadet Nurse Corps. She graduated in1945 as a 2nd Lieutenant Registered Nurse.

Elaine’s passion and prowess allowed her to serve in various capacities throughout the country. During the span of her career she served as a Surgical Nursing Instructor (Saint Agnes School of Nursing in Raleigh, North Carolina); a Staff Nurse (City Hospital in New York City, New York and Mercy Douglas Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania); an Office Nurse for the office of Dr. Joseph Weaver (Ahoskie, North Carolina) and for Dr. J. C. Commander (Martinsville, Virginia); Director of Nursing (Community Hospital in Martinsville, Virginia); and Superintendent of Nursing (Shaw Hospital in Oxford, North Carolina).

During Elaine’s career journey, she met a handsome baseball player named George F. Parker in the little town of Ahoskie, North Carolina. He soon become the “love of her life,” and they united in marriage and began to build a family together. George and Elaine’s union was blessed with six children, Ronald, Michael, Larry, Karen, Georgette, and Taunya Parker. George and Elaine eventually moved their family to Martinsville, VA and then to the Washington, DC area in 1963, where she continued her nursing career as a Staff Nurse at Freedmen’s Hospital and at other notable institutions such as Junior Village, Nannie Helen Burroughs School, and Glendale Hospital.

Elaine retired in 1984 from the Department of Health and Human Services after working for over 20 years as a Community Health Nurse and Nursing Supervisor providing medical screening for foster care group homes in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

A Life to Remember Some of the most memorable highlights of her medical career included accompanying Dr. Joseph Weaver on regular flights to the surrounding counties of Ahoskie, North Carolina, to provide medical care for residents in rural areas and the special memory of having her first paycheck signed by the famous African-American doctor, Dr. Charles Drew.

Elaine’s love for her family and friends was evident to all. For George and Elaine, and their six children and grandchildren, home was a special place. Their home was often filled with other children, neighbors, friends and family members. Many came to stay for a while and to enjoy Elaine’s famous fried corn, collard greens, baked chicken, and hearty talks about life and health. Her children and grands often recall her reciting Bible verses, poems, and other inspirational sayings that have changed and shaped their lives. One of her favorite poems was, “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Although she retired from nursing due to a leg injury, she continued to serve in her community. Elaine was a fierce advocate for Hypertension Prevention, other health care concerns, and for the welfare of children. She worked as a Red Cross Instructor and volunteer for many years. She was an active member of The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P), and she also served as a volunteer nurse at several churches. Elaine enjoyed conversing with youth and sharing health information. Many listened intently and heeded her counsel.

Elaine always remembered her spiritual roots. Throughout the course of her life in the Washington, D.C. area, she was an active member of the following congregations: Antioch Baptist Church; Mount Calvary Baptist Church; Kettering Baptist Church; and most recently, First Baptist Church of Suitland. Most importantly, she accepted Christ as her personal savior and sought to live a life worthy of His calling as she grew in her faith.

Early on the morning of Wednesday, August 11, 2021, Elaine departed this life peacefully to be with the Lord. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, George F. Parker, and their cherished daughters, Karen M. Prince and Taunya M. Parker. She is survived by her four children, Ronald M. Parker, Michael F. Parker (Jacqueline Parker), Larry O. Parker (Dianne Parker), and Georgette Fortune, 15 grandchildren, 20 greatgrandchildren, 2 great, great-grandchildren, a brother-in-law (John Dance), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

“Thank you God, for the blessing of our mother and for sharing her with us for so long.”

Order of Service Pastor Charlie Smith, Officiating Pastor Quintin Few, Eulogy Musical Prelude Processional Selection – “His Eye is on the Sparrow”.......................................................Charles Brown, Zion Church

Prayer of Comfort........................................................................................................Dr. Harry Johnson Scripture Readings Old Testament: Psalm 23...................................................................................Minister Johnny Johnson New Testament: John 11:25-26................................Pastor Charles Cato, Mount Calvary Baptist Church Poetry Reading: “A Psalm of Life”...................................Syreeta Prince, Michael Fortune, Kim Rodriguez

By Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Selection – “I Can Only Imagine”................................................................Charles Brown, Zion Church Acknowledgments...............................................................................................................Dianne Taylor Tributes (Please Limit to Two Minutes Each) 1. Stacy Brogsdale - Friend/Co-worker 4. Necole Parker, Michael Fortune - Grandchildren 2. Duane Shields - Neighbor and Friend 5. Jackie Parker - Family 3. Min. Johnny Johnson - Family 6. Michael Parker - Children Obituary (Read Silently) Video Presentation..................................................................Stephen, Chiereme, and Georgette Fortune Selection – “Oh Lord, ‘I Want to Thank You”............................................Bill Joyner & William Howard Message of Comfort................................................Pastor Quinton Few, First Baptist Church of Suitland Benediction Recessional: “Over In Zion”.......................................................................Bill Joyner & William Howard Interment at National Harmony Memorial Park 7101 Sheriff Road, Hyattsville, MD, 20785 (Immediately following the service)

Private Repast for Family & Close Friends (Immediately Following Interment)

Special Words Mama’s and Daddy’s Love Daddy and Mama, Thank God for your love.

You lived your life so that we might have much better than you had.

The world you braved to raise us, even when you didn’t understand.

Daddy and Mama, your love helped us have this chance.

Daddy rose up early, every day the Lord sent, To earn a living laying brick That’s just how his days were spent And the pride he took in what he did, you could see it in his eyes.

But the message in my Daddy’s smile said a man’s home is life’s greatest prize.

I don’t know if he ever realized all his dreams Or, if he even knew what his life really, really meant.

Oh, but for what he did to help a raise a family, there should be a monument.

Daddy and Mama, Thank God for your love.

You lived your life so that we might have much better than you had The world you braved to raise us, even when you didn’t understand.

Daddy and Mama, your love helped us have this chance.

I don’t see how Mama ever got a moment’s rest.

Of her faith, her love, and her strength, you know she gave us all her best.

She never spared a penny trying to meet all of our needs, And Oh, how she even sacrificed for too many of our wants.

Many times I’ve wondered how to face another day, Then I remembered how Mama taught me to pray.

Oh, what a treasure now, her words so wise and true, Mama knew what I would need to help me make it through.

A nurse to the world is what God gave, but to me, my mother’s love, tried and true.

Daddy and Mama, Thank God for your love.

You lived your life so that we might have much better than you had The world you braved to raise us, even when you didn’t understand.

Daddy and Mama, your love helped us have this chance Now I don’t want what they did to all be in vain, So Lord while I live this life, please let me do all I can.

Just let me work hard like they did at what brings dignity.

Let me live right like Mama taught, for another soul can’t be bought.

And wherever in this world I go, please help me with my life to show, That I’m so thankful, I’m so thankful for Mama’s and Daddy’s love!

Acknowledgments From The Family The family of R. Elaine Parker wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the many calls, cards, prayers, visits, flowers, food and other expressions of sympathy and love shown to them during their time of bereavement.

May God richly bless each of you!

Pall Bearers Brian Parker • Christopher Parker • Jeremy Parker LaManuel Prince • Michael Fortune Jr. • Michael G. F. Parker Honorary Pall Bearers Damon Settles • John Nicholson • Jordan McKnight Justin Parker • Kenneth Parker • Stephen Fortune Flower Bearers Grandchildren and Friends Special Thanks To Mama’s Angels Neema Simms (Spa Creek Center) Theresa Grant (Department of Aging) Maria Myers (Care Provider) Services Entrusted To JB Jenkins Funeral Home 7474 Landover Road Landover, MD 20785 (301) 322-2300

Program Design & Printing by Stephen Fortune SFortune@SkyconMedia.com | 301.678.9262