Joyce Rawlings Parker departed this life Dec. 24, 2012. She was the daughter of the late Robert A. Rawlings Sr. and Dorothy C. Rawlings, of Waverly, and the sister of the late Robert A. Rawlings Jr. and Shelton Rawlings. Joyce lived her entire life in this area and was active in the community, raised a family and touched the lives of all who knew her.

A native of Waverly, she graduated from Waverly High School and Pan American Business School in Richmond. Professionally, she was a licensed insurance agent and real estate agent. Throughout her life, she was active in the community and served numerous organizations in leadership positions including vice president of the Suffolk Junior Women’s Club, president of the Suffolk Council of Garden Clubs, president of the Riverview Garden Club and president of the Suffolk Social Club. She actively participated on the Riddick’s Folly Board and Suffolk Christian Women’s Club Board. She was a long-standing member of Main Street United Methodist Church and volunteered at the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts.

Joyce enjoyed walking, dancing, playing bridge, reading and creating fabulous meals with her husband for family and friends. She was a talented homemaker and also loved to garden, taking pride in her home, flower beds and yard. She was totally devoted to her family and dearly loved her dog, Charlie. She is survived by her husband, Robert E. Parker Jr.; her daughters, Kay F. Adams and husband, M. Carter Adams, of Richmond, and Susan F. Babiy, of Suffolk; daughters Penny P. White and husband, William C. White Jr., of Chamblee, Ga., and Patricia P. Johnson and husband, Samuel L. Johnson, of Canton, Ga. She was affectionately known as “Gigi” by her grandchildren, Claire D. Adams, AnneTyler B. Adams, Michael C. Adams II, Parke W. Babiy, Clayton P. Babiy, Sheldon Joy Babiy and Parker E. Sawyer. She was also loved by her nephew, Glenn B. Rawlings, his wife Sarah, their children G. Babb Rawlings Jr. and Anna R. Hamilton and her husband, Joel, and baby Mackinsey.

A private, family interment will be held Friday at the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 29 at Main Street United Methodist Church, Suffolk and officiated by Dr. Thurman Hayes Jr., senior pastor of First Baptist Church Suffolk. The family will receive friends one hour before the service in the church atrium.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts or Suffolk Humane Society. R.W. Baker & Company Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family. Condolences may be registered at www.rwbakerfh.com.