Mrs. Colette Marie (Jenkins) Parker left a legacy of love when she fell asleep in the arms of the Lord on Saturday, November 28, 2020 following a short illness.
Mrs. Parker was born on April 2, 1960 in South Bend, Indiana, to the late Henry Jenkins Sr. and the late Gracie (Reid) Jenkins. In 1990, Colette relocated from Indiana to Warren, Ohio, where she served as a leader in the community and started an impressive career. She was united in Holy Matrimony on November 12, 1994 to Darryl Parker. To this union, one child was born.
Colette valued education and graduated with an Associate of Liberal Arts from Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, Indiana, Bachelor of Science in Psychology for Indian University, South Bend, Indiana and Midwest Newspaper Workshop for Minorities for Ohio University, Athens, Ohio.
In South Bend, she was Past Worthy Matron of International Masons St. Margaret Chapter #2 and O.E.S. She was the former youth president of Laymen Chapel C.M.E. Church in South Bend, Indiana. Colette continued a journey of faith and was a current member of Elizabeth Ann Seton Church in Warren, Ohio. She served as a Dominican Associate and was the current Director of Associates for the Dominican Sisters of Peace in Akron, Ohio.
Colette was a humble person who wanted you to know her heart more than her accolades. She started as a staff writer at the Warren Tribune. After starting her career in Warren, she transitioned to be a staff writer at the Akron Beacon Journal for 25 years. She received the Salute to Excellence Award, by National Association of Black Journalist, Ohio Excellence in Journalism Awards by The Press Club of Cleveland, Ohio, Society of Professional Journalists Awards that includes first place in Best Coverage of Minority Issues and Best Religion Reporting and second place in Best Recession Impact Reporting. She was the former secretary and lifetime member of the NAACP of Trumbull County. She was the founding member of the Martin Luther King Dream Team where she was instrumental in bringing influential individuals to inspire the youth and community. She also won a Pulitzer Gold Medal for Meritorious Public Service, Unsung Hero Leading by Example Award by NAACP, and the Top 25 Women of Influence of Trumbull County.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by three brothers, Henry Jr., Willie Charles, and Carl Jenkins; and one sister, Grace Broadway.
Colette was an amazing wife and mother. Left to cherish her loving memory are her husband, Darryl Parker; one daughter, Angelica M. Parker, both of Warren, Ohio; one sister, Valerie L. Jenkins and one brother, Tommy Floyd Jenkins of South Bend, Indiana.
Public viewing will be held on Monday, December 7, 2020 from 11:00 am until 11:30 am at Monument of Faith COGIC, 2165 Highland Ave. SW, Warren, Oh 44485. Words of reflection 11:30 until 12:00 noon. Funeral service will immediately follow. Interment Pine Knoll Cemetery.