Hazel Mae Parker

Hazel Mae Powers was born on July 20, 1929 in Chanute, Kansas. She was the fourth of Camillous and Alberta Powers’ seven children. In 1939 the Powers family including her siblings, Alice, Florence, Valena, Helen, Camillous Jr., and Glen moved to San Bernardino, California and relocated to Monrovia in the early 1940s. Young Hazel continued her schooling in this quiet, family-oriented town and attended Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High here. The love of her life was a multi-talented young man named Julius Parker. He says he fell in love with her when she was just ten years old. They were married on August 29, 1950, a marital bond that has lasted for sixty-two years. “Daddy” as Hazel fondly called him adored her husband and he adored her. The young couple’s home was on Central Avenue until 1962. They sold it to make way for the 210 Freeway. Since that time they have resided on Fig Avenue. It was here, in a spacious home with beautifully manicured and landscaped yards, that they raised their own children and watched their family grow to include four sons and two daughters. Hazel was an extraordinary “Mom” who stayed home, cooked, cleaned and crocheted. She was an excellent home maker. Julius was an extraordinary provider. Together they were an ideal couple who took taught their children how to work, camp out and be good citizens. As time passed, Hazel’s vision was impaired but never her spirit. She loved life and had a compassionate heart. Her hands were never idle. She and her husband grew older but their love for each other and their concern for their offspring stayed fresh. The Parker home still is the place of love and comfort where grandchildren and great and great-great grandchildren are loved. Everyone is welcome as long as you remember to follow the Parker rules of good manners and disciplined behavior. At an early age Hazel accepted the Lord as her personal Savior. For many years, she was a faithful member of Second Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. George Godfrey Bailey and the current pastor there, Bishop Wm. LaRue Dillard. God blessed her with a wonderful soprano voice. And she used it to bless many others. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, if you attended a concert or worship service at Second Baptist Church on the third Sunday each month you would probably have witnessed her singing. Her rendition of “How Great Thou Art” was a favorite of many. The Young Adult Choir would gather at the Parkers on Mondays after they sang. Hazel would serve delicious snacks and desserts. Attendance would usually be high because we all loved her food and her smile, not to mention Julius’ teasing and jokes. Mother Parker carried her loyalty and Christian fellowship to Shiloh A.M.E. Zion Church of Monrovia before she joined Community Baptist Church. It was at Community Baptist that she and her good friend, Janetta Bowen were reconnected. They have been good friends for a very long time. Through the years Hazel’s vision was impaired. Her sight grew dim but her spirit did not. She always saw the best in others and wanted others to see her at her best. She took pride in being well groomed. On Sunday, February 19, 2012 after multiple surgeries and months of medical convalescence at Country Villa in Arcadia, God eased her suffering and angels took her home to sing with them. Preceded in death by both of her parents and all of her siblings except one, plus her eldest son and daughter, Michael and Suzie, Hazel Parker leaves to cherish her memory a loving husband, Julius; four sons, Michael (Joyce), Ralph “Skip”, John (Wilma) all of Monrovia and David (Inez) of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, her youngest daughter, Sylvia in AZ; a brother, Camillous Powers, Jr. (Marsha) of Ontario, CA; 16 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren, at least 4 great, great grandchildren; nephews, nieces and many other relatives as well as friends, too numerous to name, who live in California, Kansas and elsewhere. We believe Mother Parker has passed on to a better place, one God prepared for her. We also know for sure, this place where she lived, loved and was loved just is not the same without her. Services for Mrs. Hazel Parker will be held at Douglass & Zook Chapel of Remembrance Funeral Home 600 East Foothill Blvd. Monrovia, California on Saturday February 25, 2012 at 11:00AM with Interment to follow at Live Oak Memorial Park 200 East Duarte Road Monrovia, California