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.