Dolores E. Parker

February 25, 1931 - August 4, 2009

Dolores Elizabeth Jackson Parker was born February 25, 1931, the first daughter of George W. and Rosalie Manigault Jackson. From this union, there was Dolores, George, Jr., Lenora and Minnie. Her warm smile and gentle spirit departed this life on August 4, 2009.

Dolores attended Philadelphia public schools and graduated from West Philadelphia High School in 1949. After working a year, she attended Skidmore School of Beauty at night, where she graduated at the top of her class and worked during the day.

In 1948, Dolores met Rex R. Parker, and on September 13, 1952, while he was in the U.S. Air Force, they married at St. Ignatius RC Church in Philadelphia. From this union, on January 14, 1954, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Karen Andrea, who became the love and delight of their lives. Dolores practiced her hairdressing part-time intermittently, but her primary job was raising Karen. They are forever proud of Karen for becoming a success and a professional.

Dolores made long-lasting and cherished friendships in Yonkers, NY; Wilkes Barre, PA; Voorhees, NJ; Johnstown, PA; Richmond, VA; and Glassboro, NJ, as she moved with Rex during his career with the U.S. Postal Service. Her life was full with mothering any young person she thought needed an ear to listen, charity work in her various church parishes, painting and traveling. She enjoyed trips to Aruba, the Caribbean and most recently, Italy. For years, her favorite trip was visiting her daughter in Colorado.

She leaves to mourn her husband of 56 years, Rex, daughter Karen, sisters Lenora Smith-Ali and Minnie Bishop, sisters-in-law Pauline Jackson, Alreatha Parker and Barbara Walker, step-mother Sue Jackson, aunts Narcissus Jackson and Rose Harden, uncle Robert Jackson, godchildren Susan Green, Bonita Ridley, Dolores Ridley, Wadell Ridley and Harlan Ridley, adopted grandchildren Wendy and Stacey Logan, and nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of dear friends who have been so good and devoted throughout the years.

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering.”