Barbara W. Parker

Barbara Parker was born February 5th near Borger, Texas. She grew up in Borger and attended the University of Texas in Austin. That was where she met J. Ross Parker. They married soon after meeting and Barbara moved to Tampa after the birth of their first child while Ross was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. They had three children and Barbara was very involved in the schools her children attended. She did volunteer work at both the Academy of the Holy Names and at Jesuit High School. She worked as a Great Books Leader, a reading program for young children, at the Boys and Girls Academy of the Holy Names.

Barbara was an active member of many clubs throughout Tampa. She was part of the University Club of Tampa, Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, the Tampa Yacht and Country Club, and the Tampa Museum of Art. She was also a founder of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center (currently known as the Straz). She was a member of the Tampa Junior Woman’s Club and spent a year as chair of the Follies.

In her free time, Barbara enjoyed playing tennis, golf, bridge, and cruising in the Bahamas. She was a voracious reader and loved spending time with her book club friends. Barbara also watched many sports such as golf, football, tennis and the Kentucky Derby. She had a tradition of eating strawberries and whipped cream, while drinking a glass of champagne as she cheered on the players at Wimbledon every year.

Barbara and Ross traveled the world together through Ross’s work at the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company and their membership in YPO. Barbara told stories of lying down on the floor at the Sistine Chapel to see Michelangelo’s masterpiece and having dinner at the Moscow Palace in Russia. These moments and many more were once in a lifetime experiences that she truly appreciated.

Barbara and Ross also spent time in Cashiers, North Carolina and the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo. While in Cashiers, Barbara was a member of High Hampton, Chattooga Club, Wade Hampton Golf Club, Cedar Creek Racquet Club, and Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. According to friends, she could have been born with a golf club in one hand and a tennis racquet in the other. In Key Largo, Barbara was an equity member of the Ocean Reef Club. She was also a member at the Anglers Club, Card Sound, the Ocean Reef Racquet Club, the Quilters, and the Ocean Reef Yacht Club, and Coral Gables Yacht Club.

Barbara brought sparkle to the world around her. She gave generously of her time, her talents, and of her love of life to those around her through her various club involvements, close family relationships, and friendships. The world is a little less bright without the light she brought everywhere she went.

Barbara and Ross were married for almost 50 years before he passed away. They loved each other deeply and Ross always got a twinkle in his eye when Barbara was in the room. Barbara loved to share the story about how Ross proposed on their third date, but it took a few months for Barbara to finally say yes. Barbara is survived by her daughter Karen (Matthew Johnston); her two sons, Jeff (Katie Parker), and Thad (Margaret Parker); ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and eight nieces and nephews.

The Parker family would like to thank the special people who have taken such good care of our mother, in particular these last few years (Mike, Kim, Francis, Betty, Blanka, Gloria, Lisandra, Carolyn, Ernest, Jeannie, Petrina, Jennifer, and her many doctors, nurses, and physical therapists). We are eternally grateful.

A Memorial Mass will be held, Monday, March 7, 2022 at 10am, Christ the King Catholic Church in Tampa, Florida. Masks maybe worn if needed or desired.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to:

St Scholastica Priory

(In memory of Barbara W Parker)

Box 606

Petersham, MA 01366