Josephine Janell Parker, formerly of Harrisburg
Josephine Janell Parker, age 95, of Largo, Florida (and formerly Harrisburg, Illinois), passed away peacefully on New Year's Day, Jan. 1, 2022. She was born on May 30, 1926 in Harrisburg, the only daughter of Verna and George Lindsay.
She met the love of her life, Harold Parker, at Harrisburg High School and married him on June 15, 1947, one week after she graduated from University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. They were married for almost 64 years at the time of his passing in February of 2011.
Josephine, or Jo, as she was known to her friends, is survived by her two children: son, Chris J. Parker and daughter-in-law, Patricia Parker, of Dunedin, Florida; and her daughter, Penny J. Parker, and son-in-law, Ronald M. Leon, Sr. of Charlotte, North Carolina.
She is also survived by her grandson, Jeremy Johnson, and three great-grandchildren, Hayley Johnson, Parker Johnson and Parker Maune.
Josephine was a seventh-grade teacher at Malan Junior High School for almost 16 years, and many of her students continue to remember her. She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Harrisburg, and served in many capacities there, including playing the organ and piano when needed and for weddings and funerals in the area.
She had a B.A. in Music and double piano and organ majors from University of Illinois, and an M.Ed. in English from Southern Illinois University.
Josephine also enjoyed playing golf with her husband and friends and continued to enjoy that for many years while the couple traveled and met many new friends. They were snow birds, living in Ft. Meyers, Florida, for nearly 17 years, before returning to Illinois, until they ultimately moved to Largo, Florida, to be near their son.
Josephine continued to live at her residence, The Barrington, with the support of her nurse, Cookie, and friends, and family for almost 13 years.
Josephine was a true Steel Magnolia, living a humble life, but was strong and kind, and devoted to God, her husband, family and friends. Her favorite scripture, 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 was cross-stitched by her own hand and hung on the wall in their home. It is the "Love" verse. She lived by this verse.
A visitation will be held at Reed Funeral Chapel in Harrisburg from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2022. Those who visit are respectfully requested to wear masks and observe social distancing guidelines as they pay their respects.
A small private family funeral will follow and then burial will be at Sunset Lawn Cemetery where her husband and parents are buried. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Harrisburg, Illinois and envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
Condolences may be left for the family on her obituary page at www.reedfuneralchapel.com.