Joyce Johannes Parker passed away on November 7, 2018, just shy of her 95th birthday. She and her twin sister, June, were born in Rhinelander, Wisconsin on November 26, 1923, the daughters of Lyle and Hazel Johannes. Joyce graduated from Madison Central High School in Madison, Wisconsin, class of 1941. She studied music education at Wayne State University in Detroit Michigan. There she met her future husband Sam T. Parker, Jr., from Jackson Tennessee, who was training to be a combat medic in the U.S. Army. After Sam’s return from military service in World War II they married on October 23, 1945. They first resided in Jackson, Tennessee, later in Jackson, Mississippi, and then in Memphis, Tennessee where they had three children: Linda Lee (now Linda Carlson), Samuel Thomas III, and David Brian. Their fourth child, Pamela Sue, was born following their move to Deerfield, Illinois where Sam had a long career as an executive with Baxter International. In 1970 the family moved to Tustin, California where they spent the next decade. During those years Joyce taught English to refugee families, including a Vietnamese family who reached the U.S. in 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War. Joyce and Sam unofficially “adopted” this family, Khan and Lien Do (now Lien Hirst) and their infant daughter, Linda. When Sam retired they returned to Memphis, where Joyce continued to live following Sam’s death in 1986. In 2006 she moved to Franklin, Tennessee, where she spent the remainder of her long life. Joyce loved music, played piano and organ and performed as a vocalist throughout her school years and as an adult in several church choirs. She also enjoyed many activities including fiber crafts, gardening, and card games, but especially good conversation and laughter. Friends and family will remember her warm hospitality which often included ice cream, her favorite dessert. Throughout her life she was incredibly generous and kind to all. She is survived by all four of her children, seven grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. A private memorial service will be held at a future date. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are encouraged to make a donation in Joyce’s memory to the charity of their choice.
