Mattie Mae Parker, 87

Ms. Mattie Mae Parker, 87, of Swainsboro, passed away Wednesday, August 14, 2024, at Emanuel Medical Center following an extended illness. Funeral service was held Monday, August 19, at 11 a.m. at Greater St. James Baptist Church with Reverend Bennie Brinson officiating. Interment followed at the Swainsboro City Cemetery. Family received friends Sunday, August 18, from 3 to 7 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Ms. Parker’s grandsons and nephews. Honorary pallbearers were Deacons of The Greater St. James Church.

Mattie was born November 27, 1936, in Swainsboro, to the parentage of Samuel Thomas Parker, Sr. and Mary Lou Shoemake-Parker. She attended Emanuel County High School and graduated in 1956. Mattie furthered her education at Tuskegee College in Tuskegee, Alabama, then attended and graduated from Nursing School at Swainsboro Technical. She was a Nurse in the Emanuel County area for over 30 years demonstrating her God given talents to be a servant, leader of many. Mattie accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Greater Saint James Missionary Baptist Church in Swainsboro. She was anointed in countless areas. Ms. Parker is preceded in death by her parents; surrogate mother, Minnie Bell Shoemake-Stephens-Tiller, siblings: Samuel Parker, Jr., John Willie Parker, James Otis Parker, Lee Edward Parker, Bobby Parker, Sr., and Arline Parker; son: John Eric “The Governor” Parker; son-in-law, Willie Karlydena Harris, Jr.; sisters-in-law, Agnes Salter-Parker and Alma Worthen-Parker; niece, Tammy L. Parker; and nephew, Collis O. Parker.

Ms. Parker leaves a legacy of “cherished and loving memories” to her daughter, Rosalind M. Harris of Fort Valley; sons, Michael E. Parker of Fairburn and Milton T. Graham (Debby Ann) of Wadley; brothers, Ralph Parker, Sr. (Lutricia) and Johnny Parker of Swainsboro; sister, Christine Parker of Swainsboro; sister-in-law, Mary E.M. Parker of Swainsboro; grandchildren “(affectionately called-her Scamps)”, Terrence Howard, Teresa (Charles) Trim, Tyler Howard, Moesha Williams, Teralyn Harris and Tyteunna Graham; seven great-grandchildren, Braylon Howard, Trent Howard, Tatiana Howard, Legacy Cobb, Aurora Trim, Kenyon Howard and Dior Cobb; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives and friends.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.