PARKER, ETHEL FULFORD (AGE 80) OF WALDORF, MARYLAND

Ethel Fulford Parker departed this life on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata, Maryland

Ethel was born in Beaufort, North Carolina, on July 27, 1944, to Annie Marie Fulford and Walter Joseph Fulford. She was the fourth of six children.

Ethel graduated as Salutatorian from Queen Street High School, located in Beaufort, North Carolina, in 1962. She received a scholarship to attend Elizabeth City State University, located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. While attending college, Ethel became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 1964.  She graduated from Elizabeth City State University in 1966.

While in college, Ethel married childhood sweetheart, Arthur Leroy Davis. She joined Arthur in Germany after she completed college, as Arthur was a member of the United States Army and was stationed in Germany.  In 1967, daughter, Audre Ginnell Davis was born in Landstuhl, Germany. Arthur Davis preceded Ethel in death in 1968 (Vietnam).

Ethel married Alexander Richard Parker in 1970. She and Audre moved to Fayetteville, North Carolina, as Alexander (Dick) was a member of the United States Army and was stationed in Fayetteville.  In 1971, daughter, Ericka Alexa Parker was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Alexander Parker preceded Ethel in death in 2005.

Ethel, Alexander, Audre and Ericka traveled extensively.  The family lived in North Carolina, England, Texas, Germany, Arizona and Maryland.  While abroad, Ethel arranged several family vacations including visiting Scotland, Wales, the Tulip Festival in Holland, skiing in Switzerland, among others. Ethel embraced the military lifestyle and traveling by making friends of many nationalities and backgrounds. She learned to cook authentic foods and often exchanged recipes with friends. Ethel often hosted "coffees" and invited ladies to come over for homemade baked goods, which included cookies, cakes and cheesecake.

Ethel enjoyed gardening, going to the beach, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She was known for calling family and friends on their birthday and she would sing "Happy Birthday," as soon as they answered the phone. Ethel was dedicated to her family.  She kept in touch with her family and was always interested in what was happening in their lives. In retirement, Ethel traveled with friends to Alaska, Las Vegas, Martha's Vineyard and Niagara Falls.

Ethel worked as a teacher, librarian and long serving federal employee.

Ethel has joined her parents, Annie and Walter Fulford, husbands, Arthur Davis and Alexander Parker, sisters, Lucy Henry and Mamie Black in everlasting life.

Ethel will be remembered and cherished by her daughters, Audre Davis, of Towson, Maryland and Ericka Parker, of Baltimore, Maryland, two brothers, Walter Fulford (Ophelia) and Samuel Fulford (Doris), both of Beaufort, North Carolina, sister, Inez Haskins (Ray) of Brooklyn, New York, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Ethel was blessed with two adopted grandsons, Jamal Price and Javier Vasquez, of White Plains, Maryland. Ethel leaves behind many special friends from childhood, college, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, traveling and work.

Her viewing will be held from 11:30am until time of service 12:30pm on Thursday, February 20, 2025, Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640.  Interment Maryland Veterans Cemetery, Cheltenham.

On Thursday, February 20, 2025  at 12:30 p.m., please click on the link below to live stream the service. Please make sure the volume located in the right lower corner (where it says "live") on the viewing screen is turned up (the bars should be blue).The streaming will begin after the final family viewing. Therefore, there may be a delay before the service appears on the screen. Thank you.

https://www.thorntonfuneralhomepa.com/live-stream