Arlene T. Parker

Arlene T. Parker, age 88, a loving wife, mother, and adoring grandmother, made her transition in the early morning hours on May 29th, 2025, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. Arlene has joined in the Lord's house with her parents, all six of her siblings (Marie, Thorton "Sonnie", Shirley, Aaron "Moonie", Naomi "Mutzi", and Linwood), her husband, Joseph A. Parker along with five of her children (Donald, Darrell, Darren, Renee and Deltan) and 2 grandchildren (Jessica and Eric Jr.).
Arlene was born on June 25th, 1936, in Baltimore, Maryland, to Aaron and Hilda Thomas. She grew up on Windsor Avenue with her siblings alongside a few cousins. Arlene was a graduate of Fredrick Douglass High School in Baltimore City. A woman of small stature, yet powerful in her own right, which was evident in how her heart flowed and expanded. She was always available to love and nurture her family and extended family. Arlene was influenced by her family to be a loving and caring woman, always giving her time to others, and she incorporated that love into being a wife, mother, and grandmother. As the matriarch of the family, she was a devoted sister, aunt, and cousin to many, a mother to 17, a grandmother to 24, a great-grandmother to 30, and a great-great-grandmother to 5.
Arlene worked as head chef at the University of Delaware as a loyal and committed employee for more than 25 years. After retiring, she started a catering business with her best friend, Dianne Hayes. As co-owners of Dianne and Arlene's Catering, Dianne and Arlene work together for just over 30 years planning and preparing luncheons for the city of Wilmington Mayors, wedding receptions, casual and formal dinners for family and friends, and who can forget the Friday dinner sales, where employees from Dupont, the City of Wilmington, schools, church members, and banks would send in and receive orders almost every Friday.
Arlene was a member of the Signal Kickers (CB club) for many years, known as "Sparkling Brown Sugar", along with her husband, who was known as "Brown Sugar", where they made many friends and joined multiple family and friends into the club. She was also a distinguished member of the Eastern Star and the ELKS: Elizabeth Boulden Temple #269, where she served as Daughter Ruler. As an ELK, Arlene enjoyed traveling to the ELKS National Conventions. Her love for travel landed her in multiple states, with cities like Las Vegas, New Orleans becoming some of her favorite places to repeatedly visit, taking many family members on numerous trips.
For decades, Arlene was a faithful member of Solid Rock Baptist Church in New Castle, Delaware, under Pastor Wendell Hall. She loved fellowshipping and community service until her health declined.
Arlene's life and legacy will live on through her remaining children and her grandchildren, along with countless nieces and nephews, cousins, and family members.