Samuel Ray Parker

Samuel Ray Parker was born February 13, 1945 in Ripley Tennessee to the union of Sam and Claudia Parker.
He accepted Christ at an early age. He attended Chalmers and Manley Grammar School in Chicago Illinois and graduated from Harrison High School in 1963.
Samuel was employed at Progressive Baptist Church for 15+ years and Holy Family Catholic Church 44 years. He was the music teacher at Holy Family, St. James, St Agatha, and was currently teaching at Children of Peace.
Samuel was a man who loved people no matter what age, race, and religion. He created "His Circle of life": Wife, Children, Grandchildren, Great Granddaughter, Siblings, Church, and School Choirs. He could never go anywhere without someone knowing who he was.
Samuel departed this life Wednesday, September 21, 2016 with his daughters nearby at University of Chicago Hospital.
His wife Betty Parker who would have celebrated 53 years of marriage on September 14th and both parents Sam and Claudia preceded him in death along with four sisters, Pamela Canino, Denise Parker, Janice Parker, Martha Newman and two brothers George and Melvin.
He leaves to cherish his memory: two daughters Venus (Danny), and Claudia; one son Octavius; sisters: Juanita and Jacqueline; two brothers; Wilbert and William; three granddaughters: Ariana, Kyondra, Niaya; five grandsons: Alonzo, Octavius II, Ajani, Jadon, J'veon; one great granddaughter, A'Riyah and a host of nephews, nieces, family friend he called Sister Linda Surgick, his oldest and dearest friend Alec Lifschultz, relatives and friends.

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