Mary Sue Rawls Parker, 97, a native of Suffolk, died Tuesday, January 6, 2009.
She was predeceased by her husband, James Edward Parker; her parents, Dr. Japheth Edward and Emma Holland Rawls; sisters, Ann Rawls Newman, Emmaline Rawls Bentley and Marcella Rawls Saecker; brothers, Dr. Japheth Edward Rawls, Jr., and Dr. Charles Holland Rawls.
She was a graduate of Suffolk High School, Elon College, NC and did post-graduate work at Columbia University, New York, NY. She then taught high school French and Home Economics in Haw River, NC. She was a life long member of Suffolk Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School, served on many committees and was an active member for many years in the Women’s Fellowship. She delivered Meals on Wheels for eleven years.
Mary Sue loved growing and arranging flowers and was a member of the Riverview Garden Club for over forty years. She was a true Southern lady who also told jokes and stories with a wit that never failed to make us laugh.
The greatest joy of her life was spending time with her large, close family. Her strong, sweet spirit, unselfish love and wonderful sense of humor were a gift to all who knew and loved her. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by her son, James Edward Parker, III, and his wife, Nancy Parker of Suffolk; daughters Sue Parker Burton of Suffolk and Ann Parker Antone and husband, Louis Frederick Antone, of Richmond; grandchildren, Virginia Burton Elliott and husband, Eric Donald Elliott, Mary Elizabeth Burton, Margaret Burton Russell and husband, William Corless Russell, all of Suffolk, Elizabeth Antone Chassereau and husband, Charles Martin Chassereau of Charlotte, NC, Katherine Parker Antone of Richmond; great-grandchildren, Lindsay Elizabeth Elliott, Olivia Katherine Elliott, John Eric Elliott, William Corless Russell, Jr., Grace Stuart Russell, all of Suffolk; brother, Dr. Harvey Pretlow Rawls of Virginia Beach, VA; sister, Margaret Rawls Bullard of Mebane, NC; sister-in-law, Betty Batten Rawls of Suffolk; twenty two nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the nurses and staff of Hillcrest Retirement Center, Nansemond Pointe, Tiffany Jeffres and Samantha Cousar for their kindness and faithful care.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, January 9, 2009, at 12:00 noon in the Suffolk Christian Church by the Rev. Michael D. Halley with a reception immediately following in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Suffolk Christian Church, P. O. Box 1457 Suffolk, VA, 23439, or a charity of the donor’s choice. R. W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.