Blanche Wooten-Parker

BLANCHE “TOOKIE” PARKER, age 91, died peacefully on July 22, 2018 in San Diego, CA. 

Her story began when Tookie was born on June 29, 1927 in Washington D.C..  Tookie was a good student growing up and her mother encouraged her to excel academically.  The seeds took and when the time came Tookie was admitted to and graduated from Howard University, in Washington D.C.  In addition to her degree, Tookie found the love of her life at Howard U, her husband Dr. Joseph Parker with whom she built our family and shared 63 years of happiness.

Tookie Parker entered the teaching profession in 1958 and for 31 years inspired, informed and enlightened more than a thousand young minds.  Teaching was her passion as well as her profession.  During summers, Tookie set up a classroom in her basement at home and continued to develop her teaching methods in her own time while teaching her own children and those of her friends.  She taught at the Woodridge Elementary School in Washington D.C., later moving to teach at the exclusive Potomac School in McLean, VA.

In 1972 Tookie and Joe moved to San Diego where Tookie continued her teaching career at Darnell Elementary School then transferred to Torrey Pines Elementary where she specialized in teaching gifted students.  She was a beacon to students and colleagues alike.  Her inspiring and energetic teaching style made learning fun and richly fascinating.  The benefit of her knowledge, kindness and Christian compassion continue via the hundreds of students who manifest her legacy in their positive contributions to this world.

Tookie is survived by her daughters, Dr. Lynn Coates and Dr. Ann Cottrell, as well as their son David Parker, CW4 US Army (ret.), her grandchildren Daniel Coates, Ariel Parker, Angela Parker and Tyler Cottrell.  Her husband Dr. Joseph Parker precedes her in death.

The family would like to thank the Lord for His gift of the best Mom anyone could ever have.  We join with you in grief for her passing and in joy for celebrating her beautiful life, her boundless generosity, loving heart and unwavering faith in Christ. 

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