Audrey Parker Markham

NEWPORT NEWS - Audrey Parker Markham peacefully answered the Lord's calling at 2:50 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 22, 2008, at the timely and exact end of Psalm 23 as delivered to us by Chaplain Paul Bemers at Riverside Medical Center.
The daughter of Claude and Nellie Parker of Seaford, Audrey was born on Dec. 26, 1922, in the town of East Hampton. She graduated from Poquoson High School and went on to graduate with honors from Elizabeth Buxton Nursing School in Newport News. She was also a member of the Elizabeth Buxton Alumni Association. Audrey became a Registered Nurse and worked in this capacity for more than 50 years. She started her career as an Operating Room Surgical Nurse, becoming highly proficient in this capacity. She later did a period of private duty nursing while raising her only child, Claudia. Eventually she enhanced her career at Riverside Regional Medical Center while working for many years on the surgical floor. She retired from service and was subsequently recalled to work on the IV Team at Riverside. She eventually retired for good and then signed up for a period of volunteer work in the IV Team and Pastoral Department.
Audrey was preceded in death by her true and beloved husband, Vernon B. Markham Jr. Audrey and 'Bernie' were lifetime members of the Second Presbyterian Church in Newport News.
She is survived by her daughter, Claudia Markham Rader of Newport News. She will be especially remembered by Claudia's fiancE, Raymond W. Wright of Hampton, who so lovingly referred to Audrey as 'Mama.' She will also be lovingly and dearly remembered by her older sister, Estelle Groff; Estelle's sons, Talmadge Huckabee, his wife, Jeanie, and their son, Michael Huckabee; and Keith Huckabee, his wife, Bridget, and their two sons. She will also be remembered by her cousins, Edith Lee and Mr. and Mrs. Faye Moore. She will be especially remembered by her sister-in-law, Ms. Peggy Hales, and husband, Leon Douglas Hales, and their son, Rodney Neeley Jr. She was a true 'Angel of Mercy' who will be sadly missed by her many, many friends and loved ones.
The family wishes to thank most sincerely the staff of the Riverside Regional Medical Center, the Riverside Rehabilitation Center, and the Gardens of Warwick Forest, the medical facilities that supported us during these trying times.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26, at Peninsula Funeral Home. A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Peninsula Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Riverside Regional Medical Center's School of Health Careers Scholarship Fund, a truly noble cause: Riverside Health System Foundation, Attn: Debbie Atkinson, 701 Town Center Drive, Suite 1000, Newport News, VA 23606. Please make checks payable to Riverside Health System Foundation.
Peninsula Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.