FOXWELLS—Joan S. Abbott Parker, 92, of Foxwells passed away peacefully, February 6, 2023 in Kilmarnock, surrounded by her loved ones.
She was predeceased by her parents, Goldie Washington Somers and Pauline James Somers, both of Foxwells; brothers, Raymond Somers (Selma) of New York, and Judson Somers (Ella Jo) of Lively; sisters Betty S. Weigman (Gene) of Baltimore, Md., Virginia S. Blake (Norman) of Weems and Margie S. Elliot (Ralph) of Kilmarnock. Also preceding her in death were beloved nephew, Jack Somers (Shirley) of The Villages of Florida; nieces, Janice B. Lee (Brian) of Weems, Patsy W. Holderfield (Hal) of Baltimore, Connie B. Godwin (Ray) of Heathsville, and Sharon S. Price (Neal) of Richmond; and lastly, husbands, Lee A. Abbott Jr. and John H. Parker, both of Foxwells.
She is survived by her daughters, Virginia “Ginger” A. Powell (Wayne) of Foxwells, Melanie H. Abbott of Farnham, and Catherine Parker of Williamsburg; grandsons, Andrew W. Powell of Midlothian and Peyton Richard “Rick” Pittman of Irvington; and granddaughter Stacey P. Akers (Stephen) of Sandy Point; and great-grandchildren Owen A. and Layla E. Powell of Midlothian. She is also survived by lifelong friends, Lilian Cox, Louis Shelton, Mary Petree and many more friends and family.
Joan was born and raised in the small community of Foxwells, where she grew up enjoying living near the water, often crabbing with her sister, fishing and even tonging for oysters with her father and brother, shucking and eating them as quickly as they brought them into the boat.
She married her first husband, Lee Jr., also from Foxwells and lived there with him for many years while raising their two daughters, Ginger and Melanie, and attending Maple Grove Baptist Church in Foxwells where she was a lifelong member.
She was also a member for several years of the Rebekahs Lodge, part of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a fraternal order. For over 30 years, she worked as a dental assistant for a local dentist where she often was soothing the anxieties of patients, both young and old with comforting words and her beautiful smile.
Several years after the death of her first husband, she retired and moved with her second husband, John H. Parker, to a home in Seaford, where they continued to live for several years becoming members of Northside Church of Christ in Yorktown.
She continued to enjoy boating and fishing with her second husband, beaming from ear-to-ear with her radiant smile whether landing a huge rockfish or a lowly mud toad.
Joan and John traveled to many places in the country and even across the pond, but she was always happiest returning to their home on the beautiful Rappahannock River and sitting on the deck watching the dolphins playing in front of the house and the eagles nesting in the pines.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 11, at Currie Funeral Home in Kilmarnock, with visitation one hour prior.
Interment followed at White Stone Baptist Church with a reception at Irvington Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Animal Welfare League, P.O. Box 975, White Stone, VA 22578.