Marianne Parker

1932 - 2016

Marianne Parker

Atlanta, GA

Marianne Morgan Parker, formerly of Jackson, MS, died in Atlanta, GA, on May 3, 2016. Born and raised in Jackson, she was the only child of Anne Holder Morgan and Grady Edmond Morgan.

Marianne was an accomplished equestrienne who began riding at a young age. She attended Boyd Elementary, Bailey Junior High, and Central High School, graduating in 1947. She went on to attend Gulf Parker College for Women in Gulfport, MS.

She and the late, Marion Pomeroy Parker wed in Jackson in June 1951 and had been married almost 51 years at the time of his death in February 2002. During their marriage, Marianne helped establish and run her husband's medical practice while raising three daughters. She was active in the Demitasse Club and enjoyed collecting antiques, doing needlepoint, and was an accomplished seamstress. She was also an avid reader and instilled the love of books in her children. She and Marion particularly enjoyed boating, spending many happy times at the Ross Barnett reservoir, and traveling between Jackson and Biloxi to stay on their boat at the Broadwater Beach Marina to enjoy exploring the off shore islands in the Gulf and hosting friends and co-workers for long weekends.

She and Marion moved to the Atlanta area in 2001, where she remained after his death.

She is survived by three daughters: Catherine Lessing of Johns Creek, GA; Laura Parker of Denver, CO; and Paige DeMent (Paxton) of Marietta, GA; as well as five grandchildren: Alyssa Taffet, Lori Taffet, Will Taffet, Parker DeMent, and Annsley DeMent, as well as one great-granddaughter. She is also survived by several cousins.

The family would like to thank caregivers past and present, particularly Nancy Bunzy of Jackson and Salome Tamatey and Wilhemina Afrani of Atlanta for their many kindnesses and devotion.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in Marianne's memory to the Marion and Marianne Parker Scholarship fund at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS; Alzheimer's research; or the Dumb Friends League.