Pearl Elsie Cooke Parker

Pearl Elsie Cooke Parker, the daughter of the late William George Howard Cooke and Bessie Cooke Pratt was born in Montgomery County, Maryland on December 7, 1922.  She departed this life on Friday, August 20, 2021, at the Hillhaven Assisted Living Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. 

Pearl received her education in the public schools of Montgomery County and graduated from Martha Washington as a Licensed Practical Nurse.  She began her Christian education at Sharp Street United Methodist Church in Sandy Spring Maryland, where she was a member of the Usher Board and the Choir.  She later joined Mt. Zion Church and became a member of the gospel chorus “The Zionairs”.  She was a very diligent nurse at the Ionia R. Whipper Home for unwed mothers, then she worked many years at the Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland until her retirement. 

Pearl was a daddy’s girl, she would recall the time she snuck in the back of her father’s car as he was leaving to go to the store when she was supposed to be getting her hair combed, once her father drove off, she popped up from the back seat, instead of her father getting upset he treated her to ice cream, when they got back home, she quietly snuck back in the house.  She was delighted to tell stories about her childhood growing up on Spencerville Road, and in Sandy Spring Maryland with her family and friends.  She would often finish a story by affectionately naming all her siblings in birth order. 

Pearl had a great sense of humor, anyone who knew and loved her has probably had to bear the brunt of one of her jokes from time to time.  Pearl otherwise known as speed racer, cherished her classic 1970 Pontiac Firebird that was in pristine condition, she loved to put the pedal to the metal.  She would arrive in style, in her spotless car, well dressed, and not a hair out of place.  She was very talented, she loved to draw, sew and was a consummate word search professional.  She enjoyed caring for her grandbabies over the years, she would readily recall how she really enjoyed taking care of them.

Pearl was preceded in death by her husband William Buddy Parker, and their son Anthony Michael Parker, whom they affectionately referred to as Tony. 

Pearl leaves to cherish her loving memory, beloved sister Edythe D. Pratt, grandchildren, Phaaedra Parker McKesson, Anthony Michael Parker II and Angelique Parker Goodwin; great-grandchildren, Rhodarri, Mauree, Sierra, Jenell, Luciaun, Syriahnne, Destiny and Imani; great-great-grandchildren, Maison, Zamiyah, Jaylen, Josiah, Javaugn, Janet, Serinity, Madyson, and Adriana. Other survivors include nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, many other relatives, and friends.

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