Martha Louise Parker

Newport, RI - Martha Louise Parker, 89, died Sunday, June 10, 2007, at Newport Hospital.She was the wife of the late Samuel K. Parker, Sr. whom she married in 1936.Born on November 16, 1917, in Newport, RI, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Julia Blair Wiginton, in Newport. Martha was a faithful member of the Community Baptist Church, an avid bowler and pokeno player. Mrs. Parker worked at the Torpedo Station during World War II, and then as a domestic for many years. She retired from that work to raise her grandchildren as well as provide maternal nurturing to many young people in the Newport community. Martha lived a good life and leaves a great legacy of love and kindness for the generations to admire.She is survived by daughter, Elaine Parker Lewis, son, Samuel K. Parker, Jr., daughter Edna Parker Davis, and daughter, Phyllis Parker, all of Newport, daughter Roslyn Parker Brown of San Diego, CA, son, Ralph Parker of Chicago, IL, daughter Sharon Parker of Providence, RI, twenty-four grandchildren, Mrs. Novina DeBrule of San Antonio, TX, Miss Picola Parker of Virginia Beach, VA, Mr. Nikki Parker of Sacramento, CA, Miss Carla Parker of San Antonio, TX, Miss Shelley Parker of San Antonio, TX, Mr. Shaun Parker of Racine, WI, Mr. Robert Franklin of Newport, Mrs. Stephanie Timothy Holley of Baltimore, MD, Miss Lauri Smalls of Providence, Miss Denise Franklin of Pawtucket, Mrs. Khadija QuddoosLewis-Khan of Newport, Miss Jamila Lewis, USA SP4 of Newport, Miss Natasha Parker of Charlotte, NC, Mr. Clarence Walkins of Los Angeles, CA, Mr. Reginald Brown of San Diego, CA, Mr. Arthur Brown of San Diego, CA, Miss Florine Askew of Chicago, IL, Mrs. Linda Whitherspoon, Miss Gwen Askew of Chicago, IL, Mrs. Stephanie Blalock of Kileen, TX, Miss Tushumi Turner of Milwaukee, WI, Miss Martha Parker of Chicago, IL, Mr. Michael Andrade of Providence, Mr. Demetrius Andrade of Providence, Mr. Matthew Andrade of Providence, fifty-two great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, nephew, Henry Walmsley, Jr. of Providence, nephew James Roger Massey of Newport, niece, Alfreda Jackson of Atlanta, GA, niece, Claudia Thompson of San Diego, CA, niece Novanna Hunt of Benicia, CA, sister-in-law, Laura L. Parker of Newport, and sister-in-law, Ernestine Parker Lomax of Mobile, AL.She was preceded in death by her brother, John Blair, sister, Francis Wiginton Massey, brother, Leroy Wiginton, sister, Mary Wiginton, her son, Walter Parker of Texas, and her grandchildren, Jeffrey Parker and Brent Davis.Her funeral will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2007, at 11:00 am, at the Community Baptist Church, 50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., Newport, followed by her burial at Newport Memorial Park, Middletown, RI.Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 15, 2007, from 5-8pm, in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport.Memorial Donations in her memory can be made to the Community Baptist Church Building Fund, 50 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., Newport, RI 02840.