Gwendolyn Utilda Parker

Sister Gwendolyn U. Parker, lovingly referred to as “Gwen” by those who knew and loved her, entered eternal rest on Sunday, May 17, 2020.

Gwen was born on July 6, 1946, to Josie Parker Enoch, in Burlington, NC. She was lovingly raised by her aunt Nancy Jane Perry and her husband, Dr. William Rodwell Perry, for much of her childhood.

Gwen graduated from Central High School in 1964. She later worked her way through college and became a “Bennett Belle” while earning a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC. She earned a Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction at Western Maryland College (currently McDaniel College) in Westminster, MD, and matriculated at Hood College in Frederick, MD, for additional post-graduate course work.

Through her adventurous life, she lived and worked in Connecticut and Philadelphia before settling down in Maryland for 34 years of teaching in elementary and middle schools in the Montgomery County Public School system. During her tenure, she rose to Department Head Resource at Roberto Clemente Middle School.

After retiring from Montgomery County Public School system, Gwen relocated to Elon, NC, and worked with the Guilford County School system for 2 years by serving as a teacher at Otis L. Hairston Middle School.

Gwen was a faithful member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, DC, for over 30 years and became an active member of Jeffries Cross Baptist Church for over 10 years after she moved back to North Carolina.
She leaves to cherish her memory and carry on her legacy of love and boisterous energy, her son, Ethan S. Parker of Elon, NC,; three grandchildren: Emani J. Parker, Samara M. Parker and Bryson S. Parker; and goddaughter, Thyrsa M. Gravely of Atlanta, GA; her surviving siblings: David Eugene Parker, Luster C. Parker, John Henry Enoch, Jr., Tonie N. Enoch, Keith Enoch, Patricia Faucette (Cephas), Deborah Crumpton (Louis), Nancy Cuthbertson, Henrietta Enoch, Chris D. Enoch and Beverly Walker (Fred) and a host of aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who she loved like family. 
 
In addition to her mother, aunt and uncle, she was preceded in death by a sister Elsie Mae Parker Enoch “Toppie”. 

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