Gertrude Elizabeth Parker passed away on February 25, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 101.
Born June 6, 1924, in Viola, Delaware, Gertrude was the daughter of Anna Mae and Joseph Franklin King. She attended Booker T. Washington School in Dover. After school, she worked at Green Giants in Dover but excelled in homemaking.
A member for over 53 years, Gertrude loved attending services at First Pilgrim Baptist Church in Camden. Over the years, she served on the mothers’ board, sang in the Senior Choir and participated in the Women’s Ministry. Where she was, Gertrude loved praising God and singing brought her great joy. She could often be heard singing her favorite song, “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me.”
Simple things were precious to her, including quiet car rides and cherishing precious moments with family and friends. She delighted in her favorite meals, including fried potatoes, collard greens, ham and cabbage, sweet potatoes and juicy slices of watermelon which she enjoyed with gratitude and a warm smile.
Gertrude’s memory will be cherished by her loving daughters, Alberta Parker, Dorothy (Matthew) Belfield, May Fletcher and Rachel Stevenson. She will also be missed by her loving sons Samuel Parker, Jr. and Thomas (Curtisine) Parker. She is survived by a son-in-law, John Teagle, Sr., 30 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren. She will also be remembered by many cousins and friends.
Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Lee Parker, Sr.; her mother, Annie Mae King; her father, Joseph Franklin King; children, Josephine Teagle, Freddie Parker and William Parker; her sons-in-law, Wilbert Stevenson, Matthew Watkins and Leonard Fletcher; her daughter-in-law, Ida Mae Parker; her grandchildren, Shera Angela Parker, Lillie Mae Williams, Traig Smith, Wilmer Woodlin, Tyrone Moses, Gertrude Woodlin and Tosha Cannon. Her great grandchild Bryan Anthony Parker-Tunnell also preceded her in death.
Visitation will be held Saturday, March 14 from 10 to 11 AM at First Pilgrim Baptist Chruch, 27 South Caesar Rodney Avenue in Camden. Services will follow at the church at 11 AM with interment in Sharon Hills Memorial Park, 2928 Sharon Hill Road, Dover.
