Alice Jean Parker

Age 87, of Albuquerque, died on Wednesday, October 29 at her home in the La Vida Llena retirement community. Memorial services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 314 Lead Avenue SW, in Albuquerque on Thursday, November 6 at 11:00 a.m. and at the La Vida Llena retirement community, 10501 Lagrima de Oro NE, in Albuquerque on Friday, November 7 at 2:00 pm. Jean was born to John and Thelma Gorday, in Jackson, MS. She was the second of four children. Jean graduated from Central High School in Jackson. She married the love of her life, Archie R. Parker in 1950 and had two children. A few years later, she became an Air Force chaplain's wife and moved, with her family, to Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, Germany, New Mexico, Okinawa and Montana before Archie retired in Albuquerque in 1975. Jean persisted in pursuing her long time dream of going to college and graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1968. She loved to sing in the choir at various base chapels and at the First United Methodist Church (FUMC) in Albuquerque. She frequently introduced herself by saying "I'm Jean, short for "genius." One of her most important legacies is the children's library she established at FUMC. Another is the scholarship fund created in her name to help parents with the cost of sending their children to the Wesley Kids Childcare Program at FUMC. Jean was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Archie R. Parker; and her parents, John and Thelma Gorday. She is survived by her son, Robert (Mary) Parker of San Antonio, TX; her daughter, Fran Parker of Grand Junction CO; her brothers, Charles Allen Gorday and John Coleman Gorday of Pelahatchie, MS, Robert Earl Gorday of Tiger, GA; and six nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank the staff at La Vida Llena for their excellent care and support, particularly over the past four years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wesley Kids/Jean Parker Scholarship Fund, First United Methodist Church, 314 Lead SW, Albuquerque, NM.