Sherry Newell Parker, widow of the late Dr. John H. Parker, Jr., died Sunday, August 19, 2007 at her home in Columbus. Visitation for Mrs. Parker will take place at First Baptist Church at 1:00 PM Wednesday, August 22. Her funeral service will also be held at First Baptist at 2:00 PM with Dr. Bobby Douglas and Dr. Shawn Parker officiating at the service. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Funeral Home. Mrs. Parker was born January 1, 1953, in Columbus to the late Louis Ervin Newell and Edwina Wharton Newell. She was a graduate of Robert S. Caldwell High School and received her nursing education from EMCC. Before and during work as a candy stripper in the hospital and then in a Columbus retirement home, Sherry studied to advance in the healthcare profession and was a nurse at Columbus Hospital. After retiring, Sherry devoted her life to her late husband of 26 years, Dr. John H. Parker, Jr. and their three children. Sherry and John both shared a passion for community and spent many years restoring their family home, Hamilton Hall. They were members of the Columbus Pilgrimage Homeowners ' Association and opened Hamilton Hall during the pilgrimage for several years. Sherry was also involved in the Columbus Historic Foundation Antique Show and Sale and served as a hostess for the Antique Forum. The Parkers are members of First Baptist Church. The Parkers enjoyed spending time traveling, as organic gardeners and avid animal enthusiasts. Sherry was also preceded in death by her father, Louis E. Newell. Mrs. Parker is survived by Her son-Stephen Wesley Parker of Columbus, Miss. Her Daughters-Christy Michelle Parker-Gotter(David) of New Orleans, La. and Natalie Rhea Parker and special family friend Barry W. Strong, both of Allentown, Pa. Mother and stepfather-Edwina Newell Gilliam and Frank Gilliam of Columbus, Miss. Sister and brother-in-law-Sandra Diane Newell Williams and Dennis of Charlotte, N.C. Pallbearers will be Carl Bankhead, Tom Sneed, Tony Tate, Mike Reese, George Winton and Adam Wright. Memorial may be made to the New Orleans SPCA, ATTN: Ana Zorrilla, 1700 Mardi Gras Blvd., New Orleans, La 70014 or to the donors favorite charity.
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