Mrs. Doris Evelyn Parker's Obituary
Doris Evelyn Kendrick Parker, the sixth child of seven children born to the late Mary Jane Nichols Kendrick and Andrew Kendrick, Jr. in Stonewall, Mississippi, was born February 2, 1943. Angels whispered, "Well done my servant," and she transitioned on October 4, 2020, at Poplar Springs Nursing Center, Meridian, MS. She attended school in Stonewall and Enterprise and entered the 1960 prestigious Accelerated Freshman Program at Tougaloo College in which a student completed high school and first year of college simultaneously. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education from Tougaloo College in 1964, and the Master of Education at William Carey College in Hattiesburg. She has done farther study at Mississippi College and the University of Mississippi. A gifted teacher known for her humor, understanding, concern, and commitment, she taught in schools in Bolivar County, .Jasper County, and Clarke County. Throughout the state she was known for her dedication and for providing solid foundations of learning for third graders. Professionally, from the beginning of her public-school teaching career to her retirement, she was an active member of the county's education association, the Mississippi Association of Education, and the National Association of Education. After retiring, she served as president of the Retired Education Personnel of Clarke County. As a Christian educator, Doris earned a Diploma in Christian Education from the Christian Education Department of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. in Nashville, Tennessee. She served as Dean of First Enterprise Missionary Baptist Congress of Christian Education for many years. Her commitment and dedication to providing quality learning experiences for pastors, deacons, tn,stees, church officers, teachers, and youth garnered her the title ~Dean Parker." As a Dean, she helped other churches plan and implement Leadership Schools that provided Christian education in local communities. She also served as a Christian Education Consultant for The Christian News, a monthly newspaper, and as secretary of the Ebonette Club of Clarke and Wayne Counties. She was a member of Rankin Chapter #/8 Order of the Eastern Star and an active member of the NAACP. Dean Parker served as president of East Mississippi Baptist State Convention Woman's Auxiliary from 2005 until her health failed in 2012. She instituted new programs such as "Lest We Forget," a recognition progr;m to acknowledge the outstanding contributions and dedication of aged missionaries, women health programs, and an inspiration breakfast featuring a renowned author.
A motivational speaker, her repertoire of speaking engageml!cnts was extensive. She addressed delegations and women audiences: local, state, Southwest Region, National Woman's Auxiliary, Mid-Winter Board of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc., Tougaloo College, Meridian Community College, Quitman High School. Her writings included copyright works. Articles have been published in The National.Baptist Woman and the Christian Education Informer magazines. She was a lifelong member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church of Enterprise, Mississippi, and served in many capacities of the church. She was a certified teacher who conducted learning sessions and workshops for her church family and neighboring churches. Those who will be most profoundly deprived of the warmth of her smile and the strength of her character include: one brother Melvin Kendrick (Charlean) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Donna Kendrick (Sister-in-Law); Conrad Wood (Brotherin-Law); Les Wendell Johnson and Valerie D. Johnson, her nephew and niece who were her faithful caregivers; a son and many loving nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings Bernice K. Jordan, Houston L. Kendrick, Ann K. Woods, Imogene K. Thompson, and Easter K. Johnson.
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