Barbara B. Parker

Barbara B. Parker (Meade) of Jackson, Michigan, passed away on June 29, 2024. On that day we lost our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Barbara was born to Winston B. Meade and Toni Lorenza Meade on June 6, 1936. Barbara, or Midge, as many knew her by, is survived by her sons Kurt (Kathy), Kevin (Chris), and Jeff (Sheila); grandchildren Renee Rook (Trent), Kurt Jr., Ryan (Christine), Paige (Taz), Emily, Connor, Julia, and Jenna; great-grandchildren Hunter, Parker, Colton, and Rylee Rook; siblings Julie (Al) Magnon, Toni (Joseph) Proietti, James (Stella) Meade, Karl (Gloria) Meade, Suzy (Jerry) Proietti, Mary Jo (Steve) Rice, Timothy (Kim) Meade, and Mark Meade; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ronald J. Parker to whom she was married for 59 years until his death in 2019, infant grandson Kevin Parker, Jr., and siblings Robert Meade, Thomas Meade, and Winston B. Meade, Jr. Barbara was a registered nurse, having worked at Mercy Hospital early in her career. After raising her family and Ron's retirement, they moved to Arizona to enjoy their retirement years traveling, playing golf, and enjoying family and friends. Barbara moved back to Jackson after Ron passed away. Barbara was blessed having come from a large, loving family with whom she vacationed and spent countless hours up until her death. She was an extraordinary person who always had time for family and friends and will be sadly missed but remembered by all. Her nieces, nephews, and sons' friends have reached out in droves to express their fond, lasting memories of Barbara as the grade school room mom, the football & baseball team mom who attended every game and many practices and shuttled them around, and the neighborhood mom who always welcomed them into her home.  Her family would like to thank the personnel and residents at John Ganton's Countryside for their care and friendship given to our mom over the last 4 years, and especially her sisters Suzy and Toni for all they did for her on a daily basis. Her family will be having a private service.