Community leader Thelma Parker dies at 96

OCALA - Thelma Parker spent most of her life working with youth and mentoring students who would become leaders in Marion County. Many considered her to be like their own mother.

The mother figure, teacher and Ocala native passed away Sunday morning at the Life Care assisted living facility in Ocala. In passing, the 96-year-old left a long list of Marion County residents whose lives she touched.

Parker, a former Central Florida Community College trustee and Star-Banner columnist, was a Marion educator for several years who taught at Vanguard High School in 1969, the year Marion schools integrated teachers. She became assistant principal of the school under Leon Rogers, who eventually became the Marion County Schools superintendent.

Rogers remembered Parker as an instrumental teacher that moved integration along. Her efforts are remembered in a west Ocala road and the Public Education Foundation building that are named after her.

"She was a leader for the students, especially the females," Rogers said. "She was as fair a lady as I ever came across. She had a mother's hand for every student at Vanguard."

Parker taught Lorenzo S. Edwards, who would become the pastor at Parker's church, Mt. Moriah Baptist. Sunday, Rev. Edwards gave Parker credit as a church member who led him to getting called to the congregation 40 years ago.

"She was steady as a rock with her love for the church and her community," Edwards said. "She led our youth ministry for 20 years, and she worked with it like she was getting paid. Her reward is in heaven today."

One of the students Parker mentored long ago was Regis Boatwright. Boatwright considered Parker as family, a mother and a best friend who helped raise her and her children.

"I called myself her protege, but Mrs. Parker was so much more than that," Boatwright said. "She was my inspiration. She was the wisest woman I've ever known."

Boatwright said so many of Parker's former students and colleagues stuck with her because of the compassion she shared. She brought out the best in everyone she worked with, Boatwright said.

"She was always a champion behind people," she said. "She helped me be the best I could be."

Eris Thomas, the mother-in-law of Parker's only daughter, Rosalind, said no arrangements had been made for Parker's funeral, but it would probably be later in the week. Thomas, 85, was also Parker's longtime beautician, even before their children married.

"She was always joyful, always keeping a conversation," Thomas said. "She was as nice as she could be."

Joe VanHoose may be reached at joe.vanhoose@starbanner.com or at 867-4124.