Obituary for Lezeter Parker (Terry)
Lezeter Terry Parker, was born October 20, 1926, in Jasper, Texas, to Joe and Lacey Terry. Her mother died at an early age and she was raised by her maternal grandparents, Philip and Angeline Shackleford. She moved to Wayne County, Georgia at the age of 5, where she remained a pillar of the community for 9 decades.
Lezeter was a longtime member of First AB Missionary Baptist Church, Screven, Georgia and Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church, Jesup, Georgia, serving loyally in numerous capacities as a faithful servant of the Lord.
During her historic forty-year teaching career in Wayne County, Lezeter received numerous awards, including the First African-American Freedom Choice Award for her courageous efforts integrating the public school system. She passionately taught English and Language Arts to generations of Wayne County school children, including all three of her children, and two grandchildren. She could often be found writing beautiful poetry with impeccable penmanship.
Once retired, Lezeter devoted her time volunteering with the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary group. She was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Stars, Rosa Wiggs Chapter #24.
Her family was her first priority and she never hesitated to make her infamous chocolate cake when requested by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lezeter Parker was called home peacefully on June 26, 2020, under the care of Cheryl Carter and Georgia Hospice Care.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, J.C. Parker and sons, Joe and Philip Parker.
Lezeter is survived by daughters, Versie Reeves (Gene) of Jesup, Georgia and Deborah Bailey of San Francisco, California; Grandchildren, Anthony Reeves (Kelle) of Stafford, Virginia, Patrick Reeves (Rosalind) of Overland Park, Kansas, Reginald Reeves (Courtney) of Hampton, Georgia, Michael Bailey of Lithonia, Georgia, Jessica Bailey of Oakland, California and Lauren Parker of Jesup, Georgia; 13 Great-grandchildren and 2 Great-great-grandchildren; Special friends, Rosa Carter and Isabel Moses; 3 goddaughters, Sheila Wilson, Diana Fuller and Shirlene Armstrong; and a devoted caregiver of 8 years, Cheryl Carter.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Georgia Hospice Care, 141 S. Macon Street, Jesup, Georgia 31545, in memory of Lezeter Terry Parker.
A public viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Royal Funeral Home Chapel, from 12 noon until 5 p.m. Anyone wishing to view the remains are asked to do so during those hours, as that will be the only time the public will get to do so.
A private graveside service will be held for the IMMEDIATE family only, on Thursday, July 2, 2020 @ 10:00 a.m., at Jesup City Cemetery. We ask that you please respect the wishes of the family.
*Because of the Covid 19 virus, there will NOT be a repast, and in efforts to curtail the spread, the family will not be accepting visitors at the present time.
Lezeter was a longtime member of First AB Missionary Baptist Church, Screven, Georgia and Bennett Union Missionary Baptist Church, Jesup, Georgia, serving loyally in numerous capacities as a faithful servant of the Lord.
During her historic forty-year teaching career in Wayne County, Lezeter received numerous awards, including the First African-American Freedom Choice Award for her courageous efforts integrating the public school system. She passionately taught English and Language Arts to generations of Wayne County school children, including all three of her children, and two grandchildren. She could often be found writing beautiful poetry with impeccable penmanship.
Once retired, Lezeter devoted her time volunteering with the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary group. She was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Stars, Rosa Wiggs Chapter #24.
Her family was her first priority and she never hesitated to make her infamous chocolate cake when requested by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Lezeter Parker was called home peacefully on June 26, 2020, under the care of Cheryl Carter and Georgia Hospice Care.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, J.C. Parker and sons, Joe and Philip Parker.
Lezeter is survived by daughters, Versie Reeves (Gene) of Jesup, Georgia and Deborah Bailey of San Francisco, California; Grandchildren, Anthony Reeves (Kelle) of Stafford, Virginia, Patrick Reeves (Rosalind) of Overland Park, Kansas, Reginald Reeves (Courtney) of Hampton, Georgia, Michael Bailey of Lithonia, Georgia, Jessica Bailey of Oakland, California and Lauren Parker of Jesup, Georgia; 13 Great-grandchildren and 2 Great-great-grandchildren; Special friends, Rosa Carter and Isabel Moses; 3 goddaughters, Sheila Wilson, Diana Fuller and Shirlene Armstrong; and a devoted caregiver of 8 years, Cheryl Carter.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Georgia Hospice Care, 141 S. Macon Street, Jesup, Georgia 31545, in memory of Lezeter Terry Parker.
A public viewing will be held on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, at Royal Funeral Home Chapel, from 12 noon until 5 p.m. Anyone wishing to view the remains are asked to do so during those hours, as that will be the only time the public will get to do so.
A private graveside service will be held for the IMMEDIATE family only, on Thursday, July 2, 2020 @ 10:00 a.m., at Jesup City Cemetery. We ask that you please respect the wishes of the family.
*Because of the Covid 19 virus, there will NOT be a repast, and in efforts to curtail the spread, the family will not be accepting visitors at the present time.