JEAN MARIE PARKER Dec. 11, 1922 – Oct. 25, 2014
Mrs. Jean Marie Parker (née Norman), a 52 year resident of Marietta, Georgia, died peacefully in Kennesaw, Georgia, on October 25, 2014, at the age of 91. Jean always considered her life a “joyful journey”.
Jean was born on December 11, 1922, in Hitterdal, Minnesota, to Clara Charlotte Sanders and Henning Rogatious Norman. She grew up on their farm in Hawley, Minnesota, with her three sisters and three brothers. She graduated from Hawley High School in 1940, and moved to Grant, Nebraska, to help with her Aunt Annie and Uncle Merle’s restaurant, subsequently moving to Orange, California, to open a restaurant there.
She married William (Bill) Muffelman in 1944 in Orange, California. They had two children, David and Paula, before his death from polio in 1948. During this time, Jean continued to work for the gas company in Orange, and later met Robert (Bob) Parker, a marine; they married in 1951. Over the next several years and during the moves between Orange and Cherry Point, North Carolina, the couple welcomed seven more children into their home and set about teaching them strong family values and promoting a positive outlook on life.
The family moved to Marietta in 1962 when Bob retired from the Marine Corps and began his second career with Lockheed. She and Bob traveled extensively after Bob’s retirement from Lockheed, first by motorcycle and later by motorhome. Her children remember her as a kind, gentle, and patient mother who encouraged and supported them always.
Jean was an accomplished and prolific letter writer to family and many friends she and Bob met over the years. She was a warm, generous, quietly witty individual who loved crossword puzzles and being surrounded by friends and family. She was an active and dedicated member of Faith Lutheran Church in Marietta and often visited elderly friends and church members with her friend Mitzi Lewis over the last several years.
She is preceded in death by her first husband, Bill, in 1948, her second husband, Bob, of 49 years in 2001; her sisters Charlotte and Ruth, and her brothers David, Bobby, and Henning.
Jean is survived by her nine children David Muffelman (Pam) of Mobjack, Virginia, Paula Campbell (Greg) of Ball Ground, Georgia, Joe Parker (Evelyn) of Tucker, Georgia, John Parker (Kathi) of White Rock, New Mexico, Robin Parker (Karen) of Florence, South Carolina, Chet Parker of Marietta, Georgia, Dan Parker (Angela) of Marietta, Georgia, Tim Parker (Missy) of Knoxville, Tennessee, and Sam Parker (Linda) of Marietta, Georgia.
She is also survived by her fifteen grandchildren Elaine Coffman (Jason), of Birmingham, Michigan, Ben Glotzhober (Kris) of Livonia, Michigan, Sarah Muffelman of Mobile, Alabama, Matt Muffelman (Marina) of Sarasota, Florida, Lindsay Parker of Houston, Texas, Pete Parker of Scottsdale, Arizona, Malcolm Parker of Tucker, Georgia, Maddie Parker of Orlando, Florida, Sam Parker of Knoxville, Tennessee, Kathy Parker of Knoxville, Tennessee, Macy Parker of Knoxville, Tennessee, Will Parker of Kennesaw, Georgia, Kate Parker (Tyler) of Forsyth, Georgia, and Brooke and Ben Parker of Marietta, Georgia.
She is also survived by her seven great grandchildren Cal Coffman, Connor Coffman, Kate Glotzhober, Megan Glotzhober, Ben Glotzhober, Keaton Sandbak, and Bentley Sandbak. She is also survived by her sister Harriett of Hawley, Minnesota, and many nieces and nephews.
A service is scheduled for Saturday, November 15th at 12:00 noon at Faith Lutheran Church. Pastor Greg Walton will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Jean’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Faith Lutheran Church and School at 2111 Lower Roswell Rd, Marietta, GA 30068. Interment of her ashes will occur at a private service later that day. Condolences can be sent to www.mayeswarddobbins.com. The family would like to thank Gaines Park Senior Living caregivers and Gentiva Hospice staff for their care and dedication.
