Viola M. Parker

Viola M. Parker, 98 of Sandy Lake, passed away on March 11, 2020 at St. Paul Homes, Viola was born in Sandy Lake on August 14, 1921, to the late Dudley and Bessie (Moyer) Gilliland. She was the 1939 Valedictorian of her class from Sandy Lake High School. She went on to work at Cooper Bessemer during World War II and after the war worked as a homemaker for her husband and children. She married her beloved husband, Donald T. Parker on February 7, 1942, he preceded her in death on September 25, 1986. In earlier years, Viola was a member of Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church. She was very enthusiastic about politics and never missed an election. She was a member of the same card club for over 60 years. She was a Pittsburgh Pirates fan and enjoyed watching the games with her family. She enjoyed crocheting and quilting and was a very talented seamstress. She would always complete the New York Times crossword puzzle in ink and was a talented piano player and music lover. Viola was a quiet, proper, and intelligent woman and will be missed dearly by her family. Viola is survived by her daughters; Linda Behary of Hermitage, Diane (Lester) White of Mt. Nebo, WV, and Donna (Rich) Willey of Plymouth, MN, grandchildren; David (Susan), Heather (Daniel), Leslie (Shane), Steven (Gretchen), Jennifer, Michelle (Paul), and David (Melissa), great-grandchildren; Anthony, Jordan, Makenzy, Noah, Jeremy, Isaac, Jackson, Edith (on the way), Luke, Evan, Addison, and Parker, a brother, David (Phyllis) Gilliland, as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents and husband, Viola was preceded in death by her children, Elaine Parker and David Parker, brothers Donald and Howard Gilliland, and son-in-law, Paul Behary. Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Black Funeral Home of Sandy Lake. Funeral services will be private. Interment will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.BlackFuneralHomes.net