Shipps Funeral Home, Inc. | Sylvester, GA

Obituary For Ruth Parker

The late Mrs. Ruth Parker of 1601 Radium Springs Road, Albany, Georgia, departed this life on Monday, March 23, 2020 at Houston Medical Center in Warner Robins, Georgia.

A private service for the family will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, at 12:00 Noon from the Shepard Memorial Garden Cemetery in Sylvester, Georgia.

Ruth Parker was born June 27, 1927 on a Monday, in Sumner (Worth County), Georgia. She was the seventh of 14 children born to the late Freeman Parker and Johnnie Wilbourn Parker. She joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Sumner, at an early age; she studied with Jehovah’s Witnesses over the last decade. She received her formal education in Worth County.

Ruth was employed as a farm worker, textile worker, housekeeper and a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). Years before retiring, she was dedicated to her work in child and adult daycare. But, when at home, she could often be found in her kitchen preparing nourishing meals for her family and sharing them on Sundays, with extended family and friends. She was known for her “on time” meal preparations and sharing her blessings of plenty. She loved keeping up with her daily soaps or “stories,” the weather and current news events.

Her special gifts included effortlessly recalling birthdays and other details about family and neighbors. She was the “go -to” resource, an area historian in her own right. She was always a good neighbor and cherished as a kind-hearted person. She was respected by friends, loved by nieces and nephews, and adored by grandchildren and great- grandchildren who called her “Big Ma.”

On Monday, March 23, 2020 at the age of 92, she departed this earthly life and entered into eternal rest in Houston County (Warner Robins) Georgia. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by many siblings, a daughter, Gwendolyn Roberts and a great- grandson, Bradley Green.

Ruth leaves to cherish her memories, five devoted daughters: Charlotte Terrell of Tifton, Annette White (Earl) of Atlanta, Cynthia Chambers (Homer) of Camilla, Sonya Parker and Bridget Ellis of Albany, GA; two siblings, Velma Chapman and Gordon Parker, (both of Chicago; IL); four sisters-in Law, Clara, Ophelia , MaryAnn & Rosa ; 14 grandchildren: Scotty, Steven, Jessica, Amy, Trey, Shannon, Regina, Tangela, Jeremiah, Catrina, Kedrick, Alex, Ashley, and Kurtland; 20 great –grandchildren; 8 great- great- grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In Lieu of floral tributes, the family requests that all donations and expressions of condolences of this nature be considered at a later date for the Memorial Service.

Guest Book

My Aunt Ruth was kind and hospitable. She always made us feel welcome when we traveled to Sumner, GA from Chicago. She made room for us at her home and fed us amazing meals. She was the epitome of Southern Hospitality. You will be missed Aunt Ruth. Love you always, Karen Bradley Ajayi

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We acknowledge with sincere appreciation, the many comforting messages, prayers, and other expressions of love and kindness shown during our time of bereavement. May God richly bless each of you. The Family of the late Ms. Ruth Parker

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Comforting words from the bible: Rev 21:4 And he will wipe out every tear from their and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away." Isaiah 33:24 And no resident will say, "I am sick". Psalms 34:18 Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; He saves those who are crushed in spirit.

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We, the descendent members of the Billy & Bell Parker family, originating in Talbotton, Georgia, want the Ruth Parker family to know that our hearts are with you as you bid good-bye to our dear loved onea caring daughter, a fun-loving sister, a kind aunt, a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to a treasured trove of beloved relatives, who are all faithful members and supporters of the Parker Family Reunion group. You have our sincere prayers.

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Ms. Ruth- It is an honor to have known you. I am still trying to process that you are gone, but we know you are resting and in a better place. You will be missed but never forgotten. God bless.. Antwon, Lois & Mason Stevenson

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Aunt Ruth you will be missed. I wrote the memory concerning the food and forgot to leave my name. My condolences to the family. Love Teresa Toomer (Seal)

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You will be missed. Teresa Toomer (Seal)

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Aunt Ruth was one of my favorite aunt's on my mother's side of the family. She was the best cook, one of my favorite meals she would cook, would be roast beef, rice and gravey, butter beans and cornbread and she always made you feel welcome in her home. She was always smiling and giving you encouraging words. She will be deeply missed. My condolences and prayers are with the family.

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My condolences goes out to the family. I know the family loves her, but God loves her best.

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Aunt Ruth, you will be missed. I love you. Kamilia & Kiara Parker

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AUNT RUTH WAS TRULY A FAMILY TREASURE. She was always there for every family event I can recall. I will miss her but always remember her for her quiet wisdom and strength, not to mention her amazing memory for birthdays and other details that made everyone feel special. The most amazing thing I recall Aunt Ruth telling me about is she remembered our great-grandfather Billy Parker, who had been enslaved, born around 1850 and lived until 1937, when Aunt Ruth was about 10 years old! Aunt Ruth was the seventh of 14 children, the fifth of seven daughters of Freeman Parker, born to our grandmother Johnnie Wilbourn Parker who died in 1950. I never knew Miss Johnnie, but Aunt Ruth was always there for us, before and after Miss Molly died. She was a surrogate grandmother to almost 50 nieces and nephews and remembered every birthday, marriage and funeral! She also knew and could tell me stories not only about my Dad as a youngster, but about my mother Mary, grandparents Charlie and Evelyn Everson Crutchfield, my Crutchfield Aunts Felicia (her classmate) and Vivian, uncle Jimmy and even my great-grandparents J.G and Mary Everson as the families grew up on neighboring farms. May God bless her devoted and accomplished daughters and their families as we all mourn the loss of our dearly beloved matriarch, a phenomenal woman, RUTH PARKER. Lovingly submitted, Janice Parker Watson, Washington, DC.

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Howard family's send theirs love. Irma, Sabrina, Deloris, Katherine, Christine,therma,and hazel

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My Thoughts and Prayers Are With My Family Aunt Ruth Will Be Deeply Missed I'm So Sorry Cousins and Sorry We Can't Be There In This Time Love You All La'Gail & Family

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I am so sorry for your loss. I have been privileged to have been in her company several times and I remember how gracious and sweet she was. I also remember how determined she was to get around without her walker and the look of amusement when Amy kept trying to be sure she was using it! My thoughts and prayers are with you. Mildred Roberson

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I am very sorry to hear about the death of your loved one. I knew Ms. Ruth and her daughters I worked with Bridget, went to school with Sonya, was neighbors with Gwen and knew Cynthia through Gwen,and Charlotte is my spiritual sister. Death is never easy, in fact, at 1 Corinthians 15:26 death is described as our "enemy." Yet the bible does offer hope at Revelation 21:4, 'he will wipe out every tear from their eyes and death will be no more. The former things have passed away.' I will keep your family in my prayers. With love and sympathy Cynthia Ragsdale

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To our family, It is with deepest sympathy I bring words of comfort on behalf of Terrell County members of family, Emma, Brenda, Shirley , Robbye, Katie etc. As we all mourn this loss, it is our prayer that our Heavenly Father continues to keep us in His precious care. Be blessed

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- Shipps Funeral Home, Inc.