Cheryl Parker

Cheryl Parker, age 72, passed away on October 23, 2024, in Grand Prairie, TX, in the arms of her loving husband, after a difficult season of living with Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. Cheryl was born on April 18, 1952, in Kansas City, MO, to Frank and Catherine Regan, and was the fourth of nine children. In 1973, Cheryl married the love of her life, Bob, with whom she shared over 51 years of love and partnership, supporting him throughout his naval career. He lovingly referred to her as his HONEY-BUNNY.

In 1979, Cheryl and Bob moved to Texas, and while she built a new life there, she always made a point to stay in touch with her siblings, extended family, and friends. Her faith in God was an important part of her life, and she passed this on to her children, instilling in them the values of love, kindness, and resilience.

She found joy in reading and playing games with family and friends. As a child, Cheryl enjoyed playing baseball with the neighborhood kids, and playing burnout with her brother, Mike. While in high school, Bob and Cheryl met while working at Sears on the Plaza in Kansas City. When she asked him out he was smart enough to say yes. Playing the piano was one of her talents and she also studied modern dance at UMKC. Cheryl was also a talented seamstress and quilter, and shared her talents by gifting quilts to those she loved. She was also actively involved in the Mu Kappa chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, a women’s service sorority, where she made lifelong friendships. She was her children’s biggest supporter in all of their activities from cub scouts, girl scouts, piano lessons, cross country, track, and softball. One of her daughters’ favorite childhood memories was twirling in their dress-up skirts while she played "Alley Cats" on the piano.

She is survived by her devoted husband, Bob, and their daughters: Nicole Escalante, Andra (Robert) Morphew, and Amanda (Earl) Lawrence. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Justin (Jasmine) and their children, Calvin and Rosemarie; Junior Escalante; Samantha Escalante; Dylan Morphew; Garrett Morphew; Tyler Lawrence; and Kaitlin Lawrence. Cheryl is also survived by her siblings: Laura Bailey, Catherine Petersen, Betty McDaniel, Joe Regan, Lesley Bryant, and Dana Boolani, along with their spouses and numerous nieces and nephews.

Cheryl was preceded in death by her son, Eric, her parents, Frank and Catherine, her brother, Mike, and her baby sister, Andra.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Lety Lopez, who provided exceptional care and love to Cheryl and Bob during the later years of Cheryl’s life.

Cheryl’s life will be honored at Bean-Massey-Burge Funeral Home, 2951 S Belt Line Rd., Grand Prairie, TX on October 31, 2024. Visitation will be held from 11 am to 12 pm, and memorial service from 12 pm to 1 pm, with reception to follow. Interment at the Dallas National Cemetery will be November 12, 2024, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Texas Neurofibromatosis Association at texasnf.org in memory of her son, Eric Parker.

Cheryl’s love, compassion, faith, and strength will continue to live on in the hearts of her family and friends.