Mary Susan English Parker
(1930 – 2024)
Mary Susan English Parker, 93 of Sanford, passed away on March 25, 2024.
She was born on November 13, 1930, in Pender County, North Carolina to the late Edward and Isabel English. Mary was a faithful member of Sanford First Pentecostal Church in Sanford for over 50 years. She was a dedicated teacher at both Grace Christian School and Lee Christian School, teaching English, history, and speech. She was awarded Teacher of the Year twice during her teaching career. She was also awarded Poet of the Year.
Mary volunteered at nursing homes, taught Bible study, and did mission work for over 25 years in Africa. She served as both President and Vice President of NC Woman’s Ministries of the IPHC. Her greatest achievement in life was raising five children whom she was very proud of.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Jettie Lee Parker, Sr.; one son, Jettie Lee Parker, Jr.; granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth Berry; and three brothers, Jerry J. Cashwell, Thomas “Ray” English, and Edward J. English.
She is survived by four children, Patricia Parker Coble (Dr. Stephen Coble), Cpt. Ronald D. Parker, US Navy (RET) (Kimberly Miller), Mark G. Parker (Mary), and Joy Parker Merritt (Steve); also survived by 13 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024, from 11:30-1:00 p.m. at Sanford First Pentecostal Church with service following at 1:00 p.m. Graveside service will be at 3:30 p.m. at Falcon Memorial Cemetery, Falcon, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mary’s name may be made to Holmes Bible College 4901 Old Buncombe Road Greenville, SC 29617.
Services entrusted to Miller-Boles Funeral Home of Sanford.
To send flowers to the family of Mary, please visit Miller-Boles floral store.
– Obituary provided by Miller-Boles Funeral Home.
A Note from World Missions Ministries
On behalf of the International Pentecostal Holiness Church World Missions Ministries family, we share our deepest condolences to the family of Mary “Sue” (as known by in WMM) Parker as we honor her life and legacy lived before the Lord.
After being approved as missionaries in 1953, Sue and her late husband, Jettie L. Parker, moved to South Africa where they served for 19 years. The Parkers spent their Sundays visiting churches within their district. They would leave early in the morning with sandwiches packed, a jug of water, and elements to be used for the Lord’s Supper. It was in these beautiful years of ministry that they observed communion with each congregation, dedicated babies, baptized new believers, and even officiated the weddings of those seeking Jettie “Umfundisi Parker” to marry them. Together, the Parkers filled many roles, saw souls won to the Kingdom, and oversaw new congregations organized in the region where they worked. While Jettie served as the General Secretary/Treasurer of the Southern African Church work, Sue aided in the growth and development of Women’s Ministries. In their later years in South Africa, the Parkers were able to help raise funds for and witness the building and start of a Bible College where Jettie eventually acted as principal.
The Parkers later moved to Malawi in 1981 as Jettie was appointed Malawi Field Superintendent. There, their dedicated work continued both through pastoring and as teachers in the Malawi Bible School. In a letter written by the Parkers they state, “We have both taught school in America, but have never had students as eager to learn as our students in both South Africa and Malawi.”
As a missionary, Sue was active in Bible School teaching, evangelism, Christian education, and women’s auxiliary. Together, the Parkers left a lasting impact throughout Africa.
“The impact that Sue and Jettie Parker made in the two Bible Schools they directed and taught in contributed to the growth of the Pentecostal Holiness Church throughout Africa as the students they trained and mentored in the faith returned home and evangelized and discipled their villages, towns, and provinces. From its humble beginning in South Africa in 1913, the IPHC today reports the continent of Africa as having a ministry presence in 32 countries, 6,384 churches, and a membership of 1,099,368. To God be the Glory,” Bishop Talmadge Gardner said of the Parkers’ lasting impact. “Sue, I am certain that you heard your Master say, ‘Well done my good and faithful servant.’”
To Sue’s family, as you mourn her earthly departure, we pray the Lord’s blessings as you remember and celebrate the life of this faithful woman of God.
On behalf of IPHC’s World Missions family,
World Missions Communications Office
