MRS JEUNE CAROLYN PARKER Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Mrs. Jeune Carolyn (Matthews) Parker, of Temple Hills, Maryland, passed away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Jeune, the third of four children, was born on November 3, 1945, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, to the late DeWitt Talmadge Matthews and Jessie Mae (Leary) Matthews. As a child, the United States Marine Corps Base in Quantico, Virginia, was home for fifteen years before moving to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where she graduated with honors from Walker-Grant High School in 1963. She continued her education at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education. Upon graduation, she accepted a teaching position in the District of Columbia Public Schools system. During her 37-year tenure with D.C. Public Schools, mostly at McGogney Elementary School, Jeune earned her Master’s degree in Education from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and completed post-graduate studies at several D.C. area universities. She enjoyed working with students after school, including tutoring at the Arthur Ashe Children’s Program. On June 15, 1968, Jeune married a high school classmate, John English Parker. Their union produced their only child, Jeffrey Cordell Parker, who brought her great joy. Jeune became a member of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Fort Washington, Maryland, in March 1987, where she took pleasure in attending the early Sunday morning services. She enjoyed being a member of the Jewels Ministry of Ebenezer, and in recent years when she was unable to attend services in-person, she dutifully watched them streaming online. Jeune had many interests. She enjoyed bird watching and became quite adept at identifying native birds. She especially loved baking cookies, cakes, and pies for her family and for special occasions. Reading, especially works by Black authors and biographies, was a favorite pastime. She was a loving person who touched many lives as an educator and a friend. She was a cherished wife, daughter, sister, mother, and Grammy, and will be greatly missed but will always be in our hearts. Jeune leaves to mourn a son, Jeffrey, of Arlington, Virginia; a granddaughter, Gabriella Parker; a sister, Connie Thomas; a nephew, Kevin Juggins; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and a host of close family friends and neighbors. Preceding her in death are her parents; her dear husband of 52 years, John; sister, Linda Hamlett; sister, Joyce Law; and nephew, Eric Law. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bennett College – Greensboro, North Carolina.

MRS JEUNE CAROLYN PARKER

November 3, 1945 - July 12, 2022