Obituary for Harriet Lynn Parker
Our beloved Bit: mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, and auntie! Bit, born Harriet Lynn Chase, later changed to Harriet Lynn Parker, was born on February 15, 1958. She was blessed to be raised by her mother, Gloria Chase-Jackson and her two fathers, Thomas Parker, and Charlie Jackson. She became an American citizen at the young age of four years old which allowed her to have the best of both worlds in the United States and Canada. Harriet had three children: Dionne Jackson, Danesha Lynn Richrds, and DeMar Marcelis and her bonus children: son in law, Romaine Richards, husband of Danesha, and very close niece Keisha “Boom” Jackson.
Harriet received Christ at an early age and spent much of her time as a devoted member of Full Gospel Tabernacle in Detroit and later fellowshipped and joined Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. Harriet lived her life being a joy to others, always being there for her siblings, children, and friends when she was needed. She loved to be clothed in the word of God and it was commonplace to receive a random call from “Bit” sharing a scripture or prayer she felt would speak to you. Harriet embodied Christ’s love and would be known to be a caregiver, babysitter, and neighborhood peacemaker. She would never hesitate to help someone in need, from helping those struggling on the side of the road to even opening her home to strangers in need. Harriet truly shined when it came to her baking. She was an expert at hot water cornbread, peach cobbler, homemade biscuits, and sweet potato pie. Harriet’s favorite pastimes were reading and writing. She was such a great reader that in 1992, she became an award winning, certified reading tutor. She had to have read over a thousand books during her life and her library was proof filled with hundreds of books she’d read cover to cover.
Professionally, Harriet worked in many fields. She worked for Detroit Edison Company for seven years in customer service. After, she worked for 25 years as a personal home care worker. However, Harriet’s career didn’t end there. She went on to pursue her dream to be an entrepreneur. She became a spokesperson for First Times Fitness and was so successful she had her own commercial. She began traveling across America selling products and her business would take her to the biggest of hair shows such as the Bronner Bros hair show in Atlanta, to allowing her to visit ground zero in New York. She sold products such as Mary Kay, Avon, contacts, and clothing. Her business allowed her to rub shoulders with the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s daughter, Yolanda King, and many amazing actors and artists. She was able to do all this while still accomplishing her goals and being an amazing single mother.
It is impossible to catalog her life in this short overview, however, her impact and legacy can be seen and felt in the love and memories she left behind with the people she cared for. She was truly a loyal and selfless woman who will be missed by all who were blessed to interact with her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Gloria Jackson and Thomas Parker, a second mom, Aunt Linda Marshall, son, Demar Marcelis, and siblings: Billy Charles, Carolyn, April, and Sheila.
Bit is survived by her dear daughters: Danesha Lynn Richards and Dionne Jackson. Life companion, Will. Her best friends Tehillah “Pam”, Pearline, and Terri. And lastly, she is survived by a host of family and relatives that will miss her dearly. Aunts and uncles: Jacqueline, Shirley Ann, Joseph “Rabbi”, and Butchie. Siblings: Greg Chase “Florida”, Charlene “Sha”, Anita, Thomas Jackson, Kimberly, Diana Parker, Cheryl Parker, Lecia Jones, Gregory (and Regina) Parker, and favorite brother-in-law, Michael Jackson. Nephews: Greg Jr., Mickey, Seaney, Tarence, Christopher, William, William Jr. “Bam”, and Thomas Jr. Nieces: Tookie, Mother, Deshawn and Tesha, and Amanda. Grandchildren: Alaric, Delease, Demario, Demarcus, Rayshawn, and Roshane. Great grandchildren: Tyheem “TyeTye” and TyMyah “MyMy”.
Harriet received Christ at an early age and spent much of her time as a devoted member of Full Gospel Tabernacle in Detroit and later fellowshipped and joined Prospect Missionary Baptist Church. Harriet lived her life being a joy to others, always being there for her siblings, children, and friends when she was needed. She loved to be clothed in the word of God and it was commonplace to receive a random call from “Bit” sharing a scripture or prayer she felt would speak to you. Harriet embodied Christ’s love and would be known to be a caregiver, babysitter, and neighborhood peacemaker. She would never hesitate to help someone in need, from helping those struggling on the side of the road to even opening her home to strangers in need. Harriet truly shined when it came to her baking. She was an expert at hot water cornbread, peach cobbler, homemade biscuits, and sweet potato pie. Harriet’s favorite pastimes were reading and writing. She was such a great reader that in 1992, she became an award winning, certified reading tutor. She had to have read over a thousand books during her life and her library was proof filled with hundreds of books she’d read cover to cover.
Professionally, Harriet worked in many fields. She worked for Detroit Edison Company for seven years in customer service. After, she worked for 25 years as a personal home care worker. However, Harriet’s career didn’t end there. She went on to pursue her dream to be an entrepreneur. She became a spokesperson for First Times Fitness and was so successful she had her own commercial. She began traveling across America selling products and her business would take her to the biggest of hair shows such as the Bronner Bros hair show in Atlanta, to allowing her to visit ground zero in New York. She sold products such as Mary Kay, Avon, contacts, and clothing. Her business allowed her to rub shoulders with the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s daughter, Yolanda King, and many amazing actors and artists. She was able to do all this while still accomplishing her goals and being an amazing single mother.
It is impossible to catalog her life in this short overview, however, her impact and legacy can be seen and felt in the love and memories she left behind with the people she cared for. She was truly a loyal and selfless woman who will be missed by all who were blessed to interact with her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charlie and Gloria Jackson and Thomas Parker, a second mom, Aunt Linda Marshall, son, Demar Marcelis, and siblings: Billy Charles, Carolyn, April, and Sheila.
Bit is survived by her dear daughters: Danesha Lynn Richards and Dionne Jackson. Life companion, Will. Her best friends Tehillah “Pam”, Pearline, and Terri. And lastly, she is survived by a host of family and relatives that will miss her dearly. Aunts and uncles: Jacqueline, Shirley Ann, Joseph “Rabbi”, and Butchie. Siblings: Greg Chase “Florida”, Charlene “Sha”, Anita, Thomas Jackson, Kimberly, Diana Parker, Cheryl Parker, Lecia Jones, Gregory (and Regina) Parker, and favorite brother-in-law, Michael Jackson. Nephews: Greg Jr., Mickey, Seaney, Tarence, Christopher, William, William Jr. “Bam”, and Thomas Jr. Nieces: Tookie, Mother, Deshawn and Tesha, and Amanda. Grandchildren: Alaric, Delease, Demario, Demarcus, Rayshawn, and Roshane. Great grandchildren: Tyheem “TyeTye” and TyMyah “MyMy”.