Tomoe Oi Parker

Tomoe "Toshiko" Oi Parker, a long-time resident of Long Beach MS, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday the 27th of April.
Born on September 3, 1935 in Fukuoko Japan, Toshiko as many affectionately called her was the sixth child of Kazuo and Suemi Hoshida Oi. Tomoe, means "many friends", such a fitting name for her. She never met a stranger and made friends all over the world. In her younger days, she was a Tom Boy and loved to play baseball. She carried a bat around and used it to protect her big sister against bullies. She completed high school and moved to Sashibo Japan to work for her aunt's restaurant/bar.
In 1959 she met Ray Parker, Sr. while he was stationed in Sashibo. He was the love of her life and they soon married. Through this union, three children were born; Ray Jr., Charlie and Suzy. Toshiko was a strong and fearless woman, even though she was unable to speak English fluently and had no family with her, she left her homeland of Japan to venture to the US to make a life with her husband and children. Life as a Navy wife allowed her to travel all over the US. While Ray was stationed in Goose Creek SC, she studied for the US citizenship exam and was awarded citizenship in 1974.
In 1976, Ray retired from the Navy and moved the family back to his home state of MS. Here Toshiko made many friends. She ventured in business and owned an Asian Food Store, a restaurant and a bar. After closing her businesses, she started working at the Naval Commissary as a bagger, which kept her in tip-top shape.
If you really knew her, Coors Light was her favorite beer. She loved the Blues, Johnnie Taylor and Al Green. She loved to play poker, tunk, dominos, and slot machines. She loved to party and loved life. Some of her favorite sayings were, "you cockaroach" if you did something crazy and "Nakee Jay bird" if you were a grandchild just getting out of the bath tub.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rayfell Parker, Sr.; her son, Charles Parker; her grandson, Desmond Cook, Jr.; her parents, Kazuo Oi and Suemi Hoshida Oi.
She is survived by her children, Ray Jr. and Suzy (Samuel), her grandchildren; Christopher, Jason, Jamie, Brian, Joshua, Sarah, Tomoe (Will), Michael and Katie; 11 great-grandchildren; nieces; nephews; in-laws, Aserlene, Bill and Alberta; her beloved pet/partner in crime, Bacchus and many friends that loved her.
A short memorial service honoring Tomoe with be Saturday, May 13th at 11 a.m. at Jones Park, at the pavilion near the playground.
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