Oct. 4, 1931-July 8, 2024
Dorothy May “Chris” Parker passed through the veil on the morning of July 8, 2024. She was in her home, surrounded by her family, just how she wanted it to be. She was born Oct. 4, 1931, in Springfield, Oregon, to Dorothy Vyrle Greeson Christie and Bruce Linn Christie.
She soon moved to Vancouver, Washington, where she spent her childhood. They lived in a home that was moved from another location, and her father dug a basement by hand underneath it. He ran a garage next door for car repair and gasoline fill-up. Her mother taught sewing and knitting classes and made all the girls’ clothes in the family. They lived across from the Deaf School. She had many friends in Vancouver that she kept her entire life. Her family moved to Bend, Oregon, and she attended Bend High School her senior year, and this is where she met the love of her life Donald Parker and was married in Vancouver on Aug. 20, 1950.
A year later in San Jose, California, her son Steven Alan Parker was born. She was a happy homemaker and had her daughter Laura three years later in Redmond, Oregon. They had very happy times, making lots of friends wherever they lived; Eugene, Oregon; Nyssa, Oregon; Apple Valley, Idaho; and Redmond, Oregon, where they worked together in the meat business till they retired at 40 and moved to Cloverdale, California.
Don began to do stained glass art, lamps and windows and Mom went on the road to put them in galleries and sell them in furniture stores, she was very successful in this. They built two of their own homes and bought many properties and rehabilitated them and sold them. Chris was always on the other end of every board and appliance. She attended college at Treasure Valley Community College and Central Oregon Community College taking psychology, philosophy and writing. She also developed a love for photography and took many beautiful photos of people and landscapes all her life.
She was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at age 25, and served in the church all her life, especially as a Young Women leader. She was faithful to the end and had experiences with the Lord many times and had a strong foundation for her testimony of Christ. Her great example has affected her family and all who knew her. She served as vice president and then president of the Washington City Chamber of Commerce and served there for a long period of time, very involved with the progress of Washington City. She and Don owned and operated a business building called Washington Plaza, with Domino’s Pizza, a laundromat, GelNails etc. She could often be seen sweeping the walks and parking lot with a broom. She worked hard her entire life, alongside Don, in all their endeavors.
Chris loved dolls and bears and had a small store which was part of a larger store for years on St. George Boulevard. When Don asked Chris if she would marry him, he told her he would take her around the world, and he kept that promise and took her to probably 50 countries. She put great effort into her family relationships, with visits, meals, cards, presents, phone calls, hugs and kisses.
She is survived by her husband, her children, all 16 grand- and great-grandchildren, and her beloved dog Ginger. She loved all animals and always had a dog which she would treat like one of her kids — almost. She was the first to go in our family and will be greatly missed.
We are so thankful for Rose and Rolena, our daily caregivers, Advanced Hospic, Kerry Gubler at Serenity Funeral Home, the Eagles Landing Ward and outstanding neighbors and friends. They have all greatly blessed Mom.
A viewing will be at the St. James Lane chapel, 1095 St. James Lane, St. George, Utah, on Monday, July 15, from 9-10:30 a.m., followed by the funeral at 11 a.m., at the same location. Dedication of grave and interment will take place at 2 p.m. in the Hurricane Utah Cemetery, far east side.
Family and friends are invited to click here to share tributes online. Arrangements and memorial tree planting by Serenity Funeral Home of Southern Utah, 435-986-9100.