Funeral Mass for Diannah Marie Parker, 74, of Chickasha, OK, will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, in the Holy Name Catholic Church, with Father Goins officiating. Diannah Marie (Weaver) Parker died November 25, 2007 in Warrenton, VA, while returning from vacation. She was born November 9, 1933, the second oldest child of Willie Lee and Marie Weaver in Alexandria, LA. She was raised in Borger, TX and graduated from Borger Senior High School in 1952. She attended Frank Phillips College, Borger, TX and Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, TX. Diannah graduated from Incarnate Word College with a Bachelor of Music degree, with honors, in 1956. Subsequently, she continued post graduate work at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, Chickasha, OK and obtained Bachelors in Early Childhood Development in 1990. After graduating from Incarnate Word College, Diannah taught at Borger Public Schools, Borger, TX, for one year. On December 27, 1956, Diannah married Jim Parker and moved to Pensacola, FL and taught one semester at Pensacola Public Schools. After moving to Chickasha, OK in 1958, she taught at Chickasha Jr. High School for one year. Then for the next 12 years, she focused on raising her four children, participating in many of their school and extra curricular activities including: 4-H, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and many sports programs. For many years after 1970, she worked in the property development and home building industry, primarily in the designing and interior decorating of homes in the Brookmoor and Mandeville Estates Additions to Chickasha and surrounding areas. She also served as the bookkeeper and office manager of the various businesses owned by her and her husband. Last year, she and Jim celebrated 50 years of a wonderful marriage. Diannah was active in many community activities. She chaired the Oklahoma Heritage week for three years, served as state president of Oklahoma Federation of Music for one year, and as a national director for two years. She was active in the McDowell Music Club and president of the local chapter for several years. For five years, she was a director of the USAO Foundation and served as its president for several years. She was also active in many other women's organizations and an active member of Holy Name Roman Catholic Church. After retiring from an active business career, Diannah and Jim enjoyed traveling domestically and visiting friends, their children and grandchildren. Throughout her life, Diannah enjoyed and cherished her family, friends and music.

She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Jim; children, Benjamin Parker and wife, Antonella of Londonderry, New Hampshire, Julie and her husband Andy Yuhas of St. Croix, Virgin Islands, Joanna and her husband Eddie Robben of Coppell, TX, and Samuel Parker and his wife Vonnette of Bixby, OK. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren to the following families: to the Benjamin Parker family, Katrina Parker of Dover, NH and Anna, Alexandra and Benjamin James Parker of Londonderry, NH; to the Julie Yuhas family, Lauren Yuhas of Stillwater, OK, Aaron and Mitchell Yuhas of St. Croix, Virgin Islands; to the Joanna Robben family, Emily, Molly and Sammy Robben of Coppell, TX; to the Samuel Parker family, Jacob and Stevann Parker of Bixby, OK. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to: Holy Name of Jesus Building Fund, P.O. Box 748, Chickasha, OK 73023 or the charity of choice. Per Diannah's wishes there will be no public viewing.

Interment will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.

... Complied and transcribed by Marti Graham, 2009.