Mrs. Naomi Parker

July 6, 1928 - August 15, 2020

Sunrise: On July 6, 1928, heaven touched the earth and a girl child was born as God blessed the earth with the presence of Naomi Best. She was born to the late Major and Pearlie Best as she held a special place in the heart of her family. Mother Parker, (as she was affectionately known) was reared in the Ballards Crossroad community. Education: Mother Parker was educated in the Pitt County School W.H. Robinson. She graduated from W.H. Robinson High School she furthered her education by earning a degree in cosmetology. Mother Parker had many aspirations, one of her aspiration was entrepreneurship. After finishing the school of cosmetology, she partnered with her sister (the Late Dinah Best Saunders, and their dream and aspiration became reality as they founded and established, Best Beauty Salon, located on King’s Row, in Greenville, NC. Matrimony: Mother Parker met and married the love of her life in the person of Daniel Jason Parker, a resident of Farmville, NC, and to this union five children was born, four sons and one daughter. Salvation: In the early sixties Mother Parker, who was a staunch Baptist began to have dreams and vision of a man who had a striking resemblance to her father. She always saw the man preaching to her. The full revelation of that dream soon came to fruition as she encountered Bishop Wyoming Wells. Under Bishop Wells’s guidance, teachings and tutelage it was then that Mother Parker accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and started to walk in the newness of life. Mother Parker left the Baptist Church much to her family surprise, disapproval and astonishment she became a Member of Wells Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church COGIC. She later became a member of Last Days Harvest COGIC. She remained steadfast in the faith until the Lord called her home. Mother Parker had the opportunity to sit and be taught by the Late Bishop Wyoming Wells, Bishop L.B. Davenport, and the current Prelate Bishop Leroy Jackson Woolard, both of her sons Superintendent Austin B. Parker and Pastor Calvin L. Parker. Occupation: Mother Parker’s professional endeavors, her enriched experience spanned the cosmetology field, healthcare industry, and the mental health arena. Upon graduating from high school, she attended cosmetology school in Wilson, NC and afterwards worked for her sister, Dianh May, owner of Best Beauty located in Greenville, NC. Later Mother Parker’s professional pursuits led her to work the local hospital. Desiring a better life for her family, she decided to obtain her Associate’s Degree in Behavioral Science from Pitt Technical Institute (known today as Pitt Community College). This additional training led to her life’s work at the Walter B. Jones Alcoholic Rehabilitation Center (ARC) from where she retired in the mid-1990s. Mother Parker’s prominent role here was a labor of love-love for the human spirit, love for those in need, and love for improving the lives of others. She had an unquenchable thirst to be an achiever and someone who made an impact. With the strength of the Lord, she accomplished just that and more and earned an “Outstanding Staff Member” award from ARC. Family: Mother Parker was determined to raise her children in the nurture and the admonition of the Lord. While her children were in the home, she often had bible study and prayer with them. She did not send them to church she carried them to church. Oftentimes, she would put the whole house on a “Fast. She taught her children about her God. She used the bible as her guide for rearing her children, “especially, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him, chasteneth him betimes. Proverbs 13:24 Strict Disciplinarian: Mother Parker believed in and reared her children according to the Bible’s charge to “train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6). Mother Parker was convinced that if parents abided by this law from God, there would be no need for a criminal justice system. Consequently, she held all of children to high moral, spiritual, and educational standard-as evidenced by the roles that they serve in the church today and their collective accomplishments. Mother Parker set and undeniable example for her children in servicing the ministry. In the mid-1960s, Mother Parker hosted officials attending the annual Holy Convocation presented by the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). In the administrations of late Bishop Wyoming Wells and Bishop L.B. Davenport, she worked tirelessly to ensure that the Convocation delegates were appropriately nourished through delectable cuisine made by her skillful hands. For her faithful role in the church, Bishop Davenport promoted her to the position of “Mother” in the late 1970s, and she now holds the title “Mother Emerita” to forever honor her unwavering commitment. Respecting her position in the church, her grandchildren decided that they could not simply call her “grandma” so they combined her church affiliation with her role as grandmother and affectionately invented the term “grandma sister pauky.” Community: Mother Parker was a succourer of many. She served her community through deeds and acts of kindness. Wherever she founded those that were impoverished or destitute she was there with substance and sustenance to help sustain life. She would oftentimes open her doors to the homeless, all the while preaching and teaching the gospel of repentance and reconciliation. Her home was always opened to those in need of a good meal both naturally and spiritually. Mother Parker also worked and served the community as she worked at Pitt County Memorial Hospital for numerous years and later, she joined the team of caregivers at Walter B. Jones rehabilitation and drug center. At the Walter B. Jones Rehabilitation and Drug Center she would often have to give Margins to the patients. However, whenever Mother Parker was called to give a “Margin” (motivational speech), she would preach the plan of salvation, although she was not supposed to make it a religious speech. Mother Parker refused to compromise or take down. Church: Mother Parker served in numerous capacities in the church. She was a member of the celestial choir. She served as noonday prayer warrior. She was the Secretary of the Mother’s Board and later she was elevated to the President of the Mother’s Board of both Wells Chapel and Last Days Harvest. She also provided meals for the Children’s Church. Culinary Arts: Mother Parker reputation for cooking the best chicken and pastry, collard greens, chicken and rice, and sweet potatoes pies is fondly talked about today. Her favorite desserts are chocolate cake and Jell-O (though perhaps not consumed together!). She has an infectious sense of humor and a laugh that inspires all those around her to partake in the comedy. Equally fervent about the well-being of people, her home became a safe haven for foster children and those who needed a place of security. Without hesitation, she would sacrifice all that was in her possession to ensure that someone else’s circumstance was improved. Lastly, her insatiable appetite for empowering women was palatable. In the mid to late 1960’s when the common practice for black women was to walk as a means of travel, she was fiercely determined to obtain her driver’s license. She in turn evoked this sense of independence to a community of women, resulting in several acquiring their driver’s licenses also. Sunset: On August 15, 2020 the Lord called Mother Parker from labor to reward. God saw her way was getting hard and her hills were getting hard to climb. God closed her ever loving eyes and whispered, “peace be thine”. Mother Parker was the last survivor of her siblings. She leaves to cherish her memories, Superintendent Austin B. Parker, Sr. (Carolyn), Evangelist Missionary Deborah P. Cannon (Johnnie), Frederick Leon Parker, Pastor Calvin L. Parker (Sandra), Major C. Parker (Tammy) all of Greenville, NC; grandchildren, Felicia P. McNair (Justin), Krista P. Wade (Tracy), Beatrice S. Parker, Angel B. Parker, Naomi A. Parker, Keturah N. Parker, Austin B. Parker, Jr. Shetara Briana Parker, Shekeila P. Williams, (Clifford) Shoniqua Parker, Damien Parker, Jacqueline Dominique Parker; twenty great grandchildren; one great- great grandchild, Emerald Noelle Parker; a host of nieces, nephews, special friends and acquaintances.