Claudia Lawson Parker
October 11, 1924 — July 22, 2016
Claudia Lawson Parker, 91, of Columbus, GA, passed away on July 22, 2016, at Columbus Hospice House.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 26, 2016 in the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907, with the Rev. Dr. Leanne Simmons officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City, AL. The family will receive friends Monday, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Claudia was born October 11, 1924 in Phenix City, AL, the daughter of the Rev. Benjamin David Lawson and Anna Pate Lawson. Claudia's mother passed away when she was 11, leaving her to be raised by her five older sisters and her stepmother Mary Belle Clark.
Claudia grew up in Columbus and graduated from Jordan High School. She entered the workforce immediately - taking a job labeling paint cans for Sherwin-Williams (she had impeccable handwriting). An industrious and resourceful woman, Claudia held a wide variety of jobs including book-keeper, civil servant, census taker, poll worker, Boar's Head demo lady, and H & R Block tax preparer. She assisted her husband Louie Parker in his wholesale distribution business for over 20 years. Claudia loved collecting recipes and cooking and was best known for her delicious rum cake and her cheese straws. She had a sense of adventure and thoroughly enjoyed road trips to visit her sisters and travel vacations to such places as Yellowstone, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and England. Claudia was a Baptist by faith.
Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years Louie Parker and her sisters: Mary Borne of NJ, Effie Wright of Columbus, Gussie Ham LePage of NJ and FL, Dovie Pastor Evans of NJ and Alene Askew of Portsmouth, VA. She was also predeceased by her granddaughter Carol Parker.
Survivors include her daughter, Dr. Sandra Stratford of Columbus, GA, and son the Rev. David F. Parker and his wife Dee of Guin, AL; granddaughter Susan Parker Duckworth (Wayne); and grandsons Donnie Parker, Anthony Parker (Valerie), Joseph Parker, and Teddy Parker (Ashley). Claudia is also survived by her great-grandchildren Laina, Noah, and Ethan Parker, and Parker Duckworth; several nieces and nephews; extended family members; and many caring friends. The family especially appreciates her caregivers: Maria Wolff, Deborah Wright, Loretta Poole, Monica Sanford, Laura Baker, Renee Loving, and Selena Todd; Meals on Wheels; Columbus Hospice; and CareSouth.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Rd., Columbus GA 31909.
3874 Gentian Blvd
Columbus, GA, 31907
3874 Gentian Blvd
Columbus, GA, 31907
3800 US-431
Phenix City, AL, 36867
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, July 26, 2016 in the Chapel of McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory, 3874 Gentian Blvd., Columbus, GA 31907, with the Rev. Dr. Leanne Simmons officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memory Gardens in Phenix City, AL. The family will receive friends Monday, from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. at the funeral home.
Claudia was born October 11, 1924 in Phenix City, AL, the daughter of the Rev. Benjamin David Lawson and Anna Pate Lawson. Claudia's mother passed away when she was 11, leaving her to be raised by her five older sisters and her stepmother Mary Belle Clark.
Claudia grew up in Columbus and graduated from Jordan High School. She entered the workforce immediately - taking a job labeling paint cans for Sherwin-Williams (she had impeccable handwriting). An industrious and resourceful woman, Claudia held a wide variety of jobs including book-keeper, civil servant, census taker, poll worker, Boar's Head demo lady, and H & R Block tax preparer. She assisted her husband Louie Parker in his wholesale distribution business for over 20 years. Claudia loved collecting recipes and cooking and was best known for her delicious rum cake and her cheese straws. She had a sense of adventure and thoroughly enjoyed road trips to visit her sisters and travel vacations to such places as Yellowstone, Alaska, Hawaii, the Caribbean, and England. Claudia was a Baptist by faith.
Other than her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years Louie Parker and her sisters: Mary Borne of NJ, Effie Wright of Columbus, Gussie Ham LePage of NJ and FL, Dovie Pastor Evans of NJ and Alene Askew of Portsmouth, VA. She was also predeceased by her granddaughter Carol Parker.
Survivors include her daughter, Dr. Sandra Stratford of Columbus, GA, and son the Rev. David F. Parker and his wife Dee of Guin, AL; granddaughter Susan Parker Duckworth (Wayne); and grandsons Donnie Parker, Anthony Parker (Valerie), Joseph Parker, and Teddy Parker (Ashley). Claudia is also survived by her great-grandchildren Laina, Noah, and Ethan Parker, and Parker Duckworth; several nieces and nephews; extended family members; and many caring friends. The family especially appreciates her caregivers: Maria Wolff, Deborah Wright, Loretta Poole, Monica Sanford, Laura Baker, Renee Loving, and Selena Todd; Meals on Wheels; Columbus Hospice; and CareSouth.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Rd., Columbus GA 31909.
Visitation
JUL 25. 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (EDT)
McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory3874 Gentian Blvd
Columbus, GA, 31907
Funeral Service
JUL 26. 11:00 AM (EDT)
McMullen Funeral Home and Crematory3874 Gentian Blvd
Columbus, GA, 31907
Interment
JUL 26 (EDT)
Lakeview Memory Gardens3800 US-431
Phenix City, AL, 36867
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