Charlene Thigpen Parker

Funeral Services for Charlene Thigpen Parker, age 66, of Picayune, MS, who passed away Friday, December 12, 2025, will be held, Saturday, December 20, 2025 at 3:00 pm at Liberty Landmark Missionary Baptist Church.
Visitation will be Saturday, December 20, 2025 from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm at Liberty Landmark Missionary Baptist Church.
Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery under the direction of McDonald Funeral Home.
A native of Picayune, MS, she retired in 2022 from Naval Research Laboratory at Stennis Space Center after 44 years of service. Charlene owned and operated Bright Beginnings Preschool for 10 years, and led the PMHS Marching Band Color Guard for 8 years while her daughters were on the team. She loved the Lord; she was an active member of Liberty Landmark Missionary Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School, led a women's Bible study and played the piano faithfully. She was a member of Harmonies of Faith Gospel Singing Group for many years. Charlene had a servants heart for children, elderly members of the community and anyone in need; she loved to cook and provide meals, visit with those she loved and most of all she loved to see others smile. Charlene was the embodiment of the hands and feet of Jesus; whom she loved so profoundly. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend and will be deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, J.B. Thigpen, and Maybell Whitney Thigpen; brother, Paul Thigpen.
Left to cherish her memory are her loving and devoted husband of 45 years, Freddie M. Parker; daughters, Jennifer (Lockley) Shell and Lisa (Ben) Lott; son, Stephen (Brittany) Parker; grandchildren, Parker Shell, Bradley Shell, Brody Lott, and Liam Parker; sister, Amy (Dax) Saucier; many nieces, nephews and friends whom she loved dearly.
She poured her love into her husband, children, grandchildren, her work and church families; always serving others and offering encouragement wherever she went.