Deborah Newell Parker Ed. D., passed away peacefully on November 29, 2022. She was born to the late Imogene Womble & Arby Newell Sr. on December 20, 1949. Deborah was preceded in death by husband Kenneth Eugene Parker Sr. , brother Arby Newell Jr, niece Sharron N. Thrower, nephew Tyshaun D Thrower, loving mother -in -law Dorothy Parker.. She leaves to cherish her memories, son Kenneth E. Parker Jr. sister Auroria Rachelle Newell-Hope and Husband Michael, nephews Trousie L. Thrower III, Arby Newell III, Raphael Carthon(Keisha), niece Ma’Lissa Graham(Durell), Latanya Thrower( Richard), niecy Lele, & Toya Wallace, Aunts Hazel Jones and Dessie Giles. And a host of great nieces and nephews, 1st cousins (known as the first 48 ) and family and friends, sister/friend Tanya Ramey, brother-in-law Larry Parker, sister-in-law Vera Newell , Brother -in-law Trousie Thrower Jr. .
Deborah was a devoted auntie, mother, daughter & sister. Auntie Debbie as we called her was in love with all her nieces and nephews but Sharron stole her heart.
Deborah received her education in Cleveland public schools graduating from John F Kennedy high school. Deborah started Her education in early childhood education at (Tri C) Cuyahoga Community College. She then transferred to Bowling Green State University receiving her Bachelors 1973. Deborah was hired as a preschool teacher by the Centers for Human Services, now renamed as a Center for Children and Families in Cleveland, Ohio. She then worked at their Bingham Nursery school 1974 -1980 . It was through her work and contacts at Bingham Nursery school that she received a Fellowship from the George Gund Foundation. Deborah left Cleveland to pursue her masters degree in early Childhood Education at the Erikson Institute, which at that time was a part of the Loyola University of Chicago, completing the Masters Degree program 1982. She then worked an internship in childcare program at Chicago State University. ( unknown Kanye West was one of her students). Deborah was hired as a Child Development supervisor for the Child Care program at Chicago State University. Two years later she became a Child Care Coordinator. The program partnered with the combined community child care programs, & her position upgraded to Director of Childcare Services. Deborah was employed at Chicago State University 1982-2009. During this time she also taught adjunct classes in Child Development in Early Childhood at Truman, Olive Harvey, Kennedy King, and Daley City Colleges of Chicago. Deborah also was a Child Development adjunct instructor at Saint Augustine College and Chicago State University. 2009 Deborah was formally admitted into the Educational Leadership program at Chicago State University where she received her Doctoral Degree 2017.
Deborah’s hobbies where being an avid reader,sewing ,Thrifting, watching you tube & Decorating,
Deborah deeply believed in higher education; Encouraging all young people to pursue their dreams.
Deborah showed great love and admiration for her family. Loosing her mother at an early age, along side her father , she helped to raise her sister Rachelle. In a course of time Year after year Deborah and her husband would take her husband’s nephews & her sister Rachell kid’s (Shelly as she called her) for summer break. As the children grew older Deborah was blessed with a son Kenneth E. Parker whom she truly loved and adored.
We the Family of Deborah Parker would like to thank all for their love and support during this time of sorrow.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Davis-Garr Cremation and Funeral Services, Inc. 459 East 12th Street, Erie, Pennsylvania 16503.
Friends and Family are invited to Greater Calvary Full Gospel Baptist Church, 2624 German Street, Erie Pa 16504 on Saturday, December 10, 2022, from 10:00 am until the time of her Funeral Service at 12:00pm with Bishop Jessie N. Gavin officiating.
Online Condolences may be sent to Davisgarrfuneralhome.com
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