Mrs. Betsy Ann Parker

Betsy Ann Parker was the first, born daughter of Oliver Brown Sr. and Nancy Heggs Brown. Oliver, a truck driver and Nancy a homemaker became the parents of a beautiful baby girl on November 2, 1945. At the time “Annie Bessie” was the oldest of five brothers and one sister. Ann was educated in the Jefferson County, GA school system. She graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1964. During her high school years, she was active in Beta Club, FBLA, and the school choir. Ann spent a year in New York but discovered she didn’t like the big city. In the Fall of 1965, Ann went on to continue her education at Savannah State College in Savannah, GA, where she majored in Business Administration. At Savannah State, Ann made many new friends and quite a few were from Decatur, GA. Ann would go on to maintain life-long friendships with Savannah State colleagues. One year after Ann started her college journey at Savannah State, she would meet, Milton Parker, who also attended high school with Ann, on the campus of Savannah State. Little did the two know, they would soon be headed down a path that God had already predestined for them. Ann taught Business Education at Wrens High School and Louisville High School, while Milton would go off to serve his country in the United States Army. After serving his country in Vietnam, Milton returned to Savannah, GA to reconnect with his high school classmate and love of his life- Ann Brown. Milton and Ann united in holy matrimony on June 23, 1973, in Decatur, GA. From this point on, the happy young couple would go on to build a life together in the big city; Milton working at Gulf Oil and Ann at Prudential Insurance. On November 25, 1975, the couple was blessed with a beautiful bundle of joy, baby girl Jocelyn Lynette Parker. Ann began her Christian Walk at an early age when she was baptized at St. Matthew AME Church in Louisville, GA. Many of Ann’s classmates from Savannah State grew up attending the Lilly Hill Baptist Church in Decatur, GA. This would become a perfect place for Ann to continue her Christian Walk. In the early 70’s she officially united with the members of Lilly Hill Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Rev. G. B. Marigna. It is said that the two most important days in a man’s life are the day you were born and the day you discovered why you were born. During Ann Parker’s time at Lilly Hill, she discovered her calling to serve the people of God. Ann served faithfully in the Henry Grier Gospel Choir, Women’s Ministry, Deaconess Ministry, and the Sanctuary Choir. Ann was a student of the Bible and attended studies regularly. She taught the youth at Lilly Hill in Sunday School Classes. She poured all of the love and thirst for God into her students weekly during Sunday School, and each year during Vacation Bible School. A true servant of God, Ann graciously accepted the role of Deaconess when Milton was set aside and was ordained as a Deacon at Lilly Hill Baptist Church. Ann was often looked to by many young mothers and wives at the church as the epitome of a loving wife and mother. Ann Parker retired from Prudential Insurance Company in 1993 and went on to work in food services in the Dekalb County School System. She later served for many years as a paraprofessional at St. Peter Claver Catholic School. It was here she built a lasting relationship with her students and was looked to as an adopted “Grandma Ann” by many of her students. Ann Parker loved cooking and taking care of her family. She made sure everyone felt welcome in her home. She often took care of many of Jocelyn’s classmates when they came to Atlanta to visit. She often looked forward to the Parker family beach vacations and often extended the invitation to close friends. Mrs. Ann’s collard green and strawberry cakes were legendary and a staple at the Parker household on many Sundays after church for fellowship with family and friends. Ann was preceded in death by the love her life, Milton Eugene Parker, parents, Oliver and Nancy Brown, brothers, Earl Porter Brown, Charlie Edward Brown, Bobby Brown, Hezekiah Brown; nephews, Orienza Brown and Jeffery Jennings; and close college friends Priscilla Jordan and Dwalyne Osby. Ann Parker was loved by so many people and will certainly be missed. She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her adoring daughter Mrs. Jocelyn Parker Law, son in love Billy and bonus grandson Joshua; one brother, Oliver Brown Jr. (Lyvon); sister, Connie Choates-Dick (Weldon); sister in love Dessie Brown; one Uncle, James Willie Heggs. Her supportive and loving in-laws Mrs. Phyllis (Jerry) Wade, Mr. & Mrs. Gerald (Martha) Parker, Mr. & Mrs. Carlton (Norma) Parker, Mr. & Mrs. Leon (Pamela) Parker, Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Thomas (Rosie) Parker. Five nephews and eight nieces, a host of great nieces and nephews. Four adopted grandchildren, and God-daughter Amber Carter, and a host of family and friends.

Tributes

Mrs. Betsy Ann Parker

November 2, 1945 - December 18, 2024