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Contact
Us
- General Information
Telephone (313) 341-4487
Mailing Address
Widows
With Wisdom
c/o His Lovely Wife Ministries
P.O. Box 211018, Detroit, MI 48221
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug
24, 2006
ANNOUNCEMENT: WIDOWS WITH WISDOM MEMBER WINS MOTHER-OF-THE-YEAR AWARD
Congratulations, Missy
Parker!!! Right To Life-Lifespan
Mother of the Year 2006
(Printed below is the
nomination letter her daughter, Erica Parker, wrote.)
God made a wonderful mother, a mother who never grows old; He made her
smile of the sunshine, and He molded her heart of pure gold. In her eyes He
placed bright shining stars, in her words, much wisdom you see. God made a
wonderful mother, and He gave that precious mother to me.
On October 4, 1956, Mildred Louise Parker (better known as Missy Parker)
was born in Detroit, Michigan to Alfreida and John Butler. Overall, she had a
wonderful childhood and enjoyed the time spent with her only brother, Charles
Butler. She went on to attend Cass Technical High School where she excelled
academically, for which she was accepted to Michigan State University, where she
studied Criminal Justice. While in college, she met the love of her life, my
father, Rickford C. Parker (better known as Rick Parker), whom she married on
November 18, 1978. Their marriage was full of love and laughter and served as a
wonderful example of a marriage ordained by God. From this beautiful union came
three biological and five adopted children. God gave my parents hearts full of
compassion that let them to become foster parents for dozens of children during
their devoted twenty-two years of marriage.
Education has always been very important to my parents. Because of this,
my mother chose to sacrifice her career goals and dreams to take on the enormous
task of home educating all eight of her children. Over the years, she found
that extracurricular activities and interaction with other children was
important for the development of her own. Knowing this, she founded and
coordinated the Metro Detroit Christian Home Educators Support Group where she
offered leadership and guidance to families who were new to the idea of home
schooling and support to those who needed encouragement.
She has always been a leader and pillar in all avenues of life. She has
dedicated years of service and sacrifice as the head of the youth program at our
church where she ministers to youth faithfully. Because of her heart of gold,
she has been an active member of a crisis pregnancy center for twenty three
years, where she mentored and touched the lives of many young women, devoting
countless hours of prayer, counseling sessions, unspoken support, love and tears
as well as much needed monetary support and necessary contributions for the
increasing growth in a society where the sanctity of the unborn life is
diminishing.
Over the years, Missy has inspired and encouraged many, with the love of
her children and the unconditional support of her husband. Unfortunately, on
December 11, 2000, her life was changed forever. On this day, the love of her
life, her husband, support and best friend of twenty-two years, went home to be
with Jesus, leaving her behind to care for eight children alone. Although she
was devastated, she accepted that it was God’s will and asked Him to guide her
on this new journey in life. My mom is such an amazing woman that instead of
thinking of her won feelings, she remained strong for the sake of her children.
Until this point in life, she had not worked in the work force, so one of
her most courageous moments was at the young age of forty-four years, she
applied for her first job and went on the interview, for which she was hired!
Because of this, she was forced to put her children into the traditional school
system, which was quite difficult for her, but in the end, it worked out
wonderfully. She decided to take on the awesome challenge of raising eight
children while providing financially for her family as well as remaining
actively involved in her numerous church and community activities. This is the
perfect example of the strength and courage my mother has exemplified to all who
come in contact with her and clearly shows why this nomination of Mother of the
Year is long overdue.
She has diligently guided three of her eight children to college while
nurturing the others in their goals and dreams. Ebony (25), her oldest, was
recently married and is currently finishing her fourth year of medical school at
the University of Michigan, graduating June 2006. I, Erica (22) am currently
finishing my fourth year at Western Michigan University, majoring in dance. I
will graduate July 2006. Rick II (18), is currently in his freshman year at
Henry Ford Community College, where he’s majoring in Business Administration.
Nathaniel (21) and Gabrielle (18) are both currently working while deciding
their career goals; Keith (14) is a freshman in high school at Westside
Christian Academy where he plays on the basketball team. And, last but
certainly not least, Kyra (12) and Khaliq (10) are both excellent students at
Warrendale Charter Academy.
My mother has taken her passion for young people to a new level. She
currently works for St. John-Providence Health System as an abstinence
instructor where she educates middle and high school students on the benefits of
abstaining from drugs, alcohol and premarital sex. This job was truly a gift
from God because for years my mother volunteered in a similar abstinence program
where she put in hours of work for free because of her undying passion and
charismatic heart for young people and their futures.
Knowing that passion can only take you so far, my mother has also made the
courageous decision at forty-nine years of age to go back to college and
complete her degree. She currently attends Spring Arbor University where she is
studying to be a family life educator. Due to my mother’s years of experience
in this particular area, the University is allowing her to use life experience
as credits toward her degree.
Watching and learning from my mother has been what has brought me thus far
in life. In her daily walk, she has shown me the characteristics of a godly
woman and helped mold me into the woman I am today. As I’ve grown older, our
relationship has developed into an open and honest friendship that I rely on for
support, encouragement and inspiration. She’s the greatest listener, yet she
always has words of wisdom that help put life into perspective. Her spirit is
one that will walk with the angels for she has spent each and every day of her
life improving and uplifting all whom she meets. Over the years I have watched
my mother live a selfless life, purely devoted to her faith, family and
friends. I know that there are an abundance of amazing mothers in this world,
but for my family, and me this courageous teacher, friend, inspiration, leader
and wife, my mother, surpasses them all!! I am privileged to honor such a
wonderful woman, and I am grateful to Lifespan for giving me the opportunity.
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