Mary Dell Cotney Parker

Mrs. Mary Dell Cotney Parker, 91, died Tuesday evening (December 30, 2025) at Memorial Satilla Health.
She was born in Columbus, GA on July 16, 1934 to the late Delma Earl Cotney and Gladys Mae Jackson Cotney.
She was an active member of First Baptist Church since 1962. She was a member of the WMU, prayer committee, and the Gleaners Sunday School Class, having served as past president and prayer warriors among other offices. Mrs. Parker served on the history, nominating, and flower committee, and served on staff as interim secretary of the church.She was a member of the adult choir, teacher of the Young Musicians Choir, the Beginners I Sunday School Class and secretary, director of the Youth I Sunday School Department, was a VBS teacher for many years, and served for Holy Week for many years.
She was a graduate of Columbus High School and attended Huntingdon College. She worked for Cotney Insurance Agency in Columbus, was the real estate secretary for Forrest Sweat and Walker and Sweat Law Offices in Waycross, and loan secretary at the office of John Fesperman.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Willard Terrell "Bill" Parker, Sr.; and a daughter, Terri Dell Parker.
She is survived by her three children, Pamela Cotney Parker Chaffin (Charles Hamp "Chuck" Chaffin, Jr.) of Colorado Springs, CO, Steven Terrell Parker (Carole Denise Parker) of Waycross, GA, and Willard Terrell Parker, Jr., of Stockbridge, GA; four grandchildren, Charles Hamp "Trey" Chaffin III (Becky), Steven Andrew "Drew" Chaffin, Stephanie Carole Arnow (Rick), and Terri Parker Barnett (Eddie).
In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church, the Southeast Cancer Society, or Wounded Warriors Project.
A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday (January 3, 2026) at First Baptist Church. The family will be receiving friends starting at 10:00 AM at the church. A private burial will follow in Greenlawn Cemetery.