Doris Marie Parker

Mrs. Doris Marie Parker was born October 16, 1934 to Jerry and Essie Richmond. She grew up in the Hickory Hill community of Pittsburg, Texas. She attended Living Green Elementary School and graduated from Fredrick Douglas High School at the young age of 16. In 1951, she graduated with a BA degree from Texas College in Tyler, Texas with honors. While attending Texas College, she met the love of her life, Mr. John Parker; they later married in the year of 1956. Mrs. Parker continued her education and received her master’s degree in Special Education from Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas. She began her teaching career at the Fredrick Douglas School under the leadership of her uncle, Professor Louie Strickland and was a school teacher for 37 years. However, her latter years were spent working for the Pittsburg Independent School District. Doris often accredited the compassion she had for her students to Mrs. Davis, a kindhearted teacher she had as a child. Therefore Mrs. Parker’s heart went out to those children that were bullied or perhaps looked and dressed a little differently than others.  Her students loved and respected her because she taught them the three “P’s”-Prayer, Praise, and the Paddle.

Doris and her husband served as pillars in their local community by mentoring and encouraging many young people. They were not only educators but were also entrepreneurs. Mrs. Parker has always had a loving and giving heart which was so richly reflected during her time here on earth.  God, seeing her heart, blessed them to open an adult home for assisted living and a day care for children.

Over the years, Doris received many awards and accolades for her community services.  She recently received a NAACP award by the Camp County Chapter of the NAACP for her many years of service to the community. 

The Parker’s were blessed with the honor to help raise their nieces: Gwendolyn Sephus-Fleming, Diane Espiritt, Virginia Kelly-Hollie and nephew, Jerry Turner.  God later blessed them with their very own daughter, Makeda Fierra Parker and three grandchildren, Phoenix Hamilton, Ke’Marie and Marlon Peoples Jr.  They were the “Apple of her Eye,” and she constantly prayed for their souls, their peace and protection.

Mrs. Parker was a member of The New Victory Temple Church under the leadership of Pastor L C Webster. Her greatest desire was to live for God and be used in any capacity God needed. She served as Sunday School Superintendent, Women ‘s Day Co-chair,  Co-chair of the Finance Team and she became the Church Mother and served faithfully until her demise. Her favorite Bible reading was Psalm 37 where David tells us to “Trust, Dwell, Delight, Commit and Rest in the Lord.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Parker; sisters, Dollie Richmond, Vivian Leona Ellis, Linnett Faye Jones, Alpheretta Hill, and Mary Alice Williams; brothers Alfonso Richmond, Hubert Richmond and Jerry Richmond, Jr. Doris leaves to cherish her memories; her daughter, Makeda Parker; granddaughters, Phoenix Hamilton and Ke'Marie Peoples; grandson, Marlon Peoples, Jr. (aka Bubba); her nephews, nieces, godchildren, relatives and friends. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Doris Marie Parker, please visit our floral store.