Jeanette Parker

Jeanette Ann Parker was born on January 20, 1973 to Vernon and Judy Parker. She was born at St Francis Hospital in Wichita, KS. She passed away in her home on January 18, 2024. She was named after her Aunt Barbara Jean and her Aunt Ann. She is survived by her two older sisters, Jill Meadows and Jodi Kinniburgh and her husband Jeff. She is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephew. Lindy and Justin Swafford, David Meadows, Lucy Meadows and Corey McReynolds, Kassie Kinniburgh and Kelsie Kinniburgh, her Uncle Ed and Aunt Barbara Johnston, Aunt Ann Dorrah, and cousins Manny Derryberry, Brad Dorrah, Brian Dorrah and Brent Dorrah. She is preceded in death by her parents Vernon and Judy Parker, her grandparents, Bob and Marie Dorrah, David Parker and Irene Paulson, Uncle Jim Dorrah, Uncle Jay and Aunt Bonnie Derryberry, and cousin Pepe Derryberry.

Jeanette was born with a book in her hand. She loved reading and learning. While most children are told to read more she was told to quit reading so much. She would lay in bed at night hidden under the covers to get a few more precious moments with her stories. Mom would tell her she was ruining her vision by continuing to do this. One of Jeanette’s fondest memories was when she went to the eye doctor and mom asked him to explain to Jeanette that reading in dim light would ruin her vision. However the eye doctor said in fact that that was not true. She continued to read throughout her life. She said she read approximately three books per week. She lived 2,660 weeks which means she read at least 8 thousand books. This would not include any books she read to her nieces and nephew or any for education purposes.

She also had a passion for learning. She began her schooling at Pleasant Valley Elementary, Pleasant Valley Junior High, Wichita Heights High School, and then when mom and dad built their new home she transferred to Valley Center High School where she graduated in 1991. She went to Butler County Community College where she earned her associates degree in 1993. She then made the decision to attend Barclay College in Haviland, KS. There she completed her degree in Bible/Christian Ministries in 1999. She then began on her first Master’s Program at Emporia State where she earned a Master’s of Library Science in 2007. While she was working at Friends University she decided to work on a second Master’s which she earned in Christian Ministry in 2012. In 2018 she decided to pursue her doctorate in Library Sciences and had been taking classes at Emporia State. She was looking forward to becoming Dr. Parker at the same time Kassie would become a Doctor of Physical Therapy. She was awarded many times for her excellence. She was a member of different library associations and was appointed as a member of the State Library of KS Board.

Her work career began at Twin Lakes where she worked in the Popcorn store. Then she worked at Food 4 Less in the 1 hour photo lab. This was a dream job to our mom because she could get Jeanette to print all of the photos that she wanted. We have an abnormally high amount of printed photos for this time period including many of Lindy. After she completed her degree at Barclay they hired her as the librarian for the college. She started in 1999 and continued until 2006 when she made the decision to move back to Wichita. She was hired as the Serials Librarian in 2006 at Friends University. In 2014 she decided to make a change and began at Newman University as the assistant librarian. She was then promoted to the Reference and Instructional Librarian in 2017. In this position she was able to show her gifts with teaching and developing curriculum for students. At Newman she worked with Steve whom she greatly enjoyed working with. They worked very well together and she considered him a friend. In 2022 she became the Director of Library Services at Kansas Health Science Center. Here she was able to develop their program for the use of library information for the students.

Jeanette was a loving sister, aunt and friend.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 25, 2024 at 2:00 p.m., at Northridge Friends Church, 2655 N. Bullinger, Wichita, KS 67204, in the multi-purpose room. Dress is casual, and we are asking people to wear something blue, red, yellow, or sparkly in her honor.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jeanette's memory can be sent to Barclay College, 607 Kingman, Haviland, KS 67059. Please note that it is in memory of Jeanette and for the library.