Helen Elizabeth Parker

Helen Elizabeth Bowman Parker, 101, died on December 25, 2022. Born in Savannah, GA on September
7, 1921, Helen was the third of six children to parents James McPherson and Mary Catherine Bowman.
A lifelong resident of Savannah, she began attending First Presbyterian Church as a young girl and
formally joined in 1934 making her both the oldest and longest active member with 90 plus years of
attendance. It was also those early days at First Presbyterian where she first met her future husband,
John (Jack) Lowell Parker. After graduating from Savannah High School in spring of 1941, Jack and Helen
married on October 30, 1941. While Jack was serving in World War II, she worked for Southern Bell and
Seaboard Railroad; later, she worked as a bank manager for Georgia Federal where she retired after 23
years. For her church, Helen served as treasurer for Women of the Church (10 years), treasurer for
Presbyterian Women (2 years), and volunteered in multiple other areas including the church office. She
was a faithful member of the Fidelis Sunday School class and an active member of the Jubilee Circle. For
her faithful service, she was recognized by First Presbyterian with an Honorary Life Membership. She
also volunteered as a Pink Lady at Candler and Memorial Hospitals for several years.

Helen was an avid reader and bridge player. She enjoyed traveling and ballroom dancing with Jack and
their many friends. But, spending time with her family brought her the greatest of joy. Helen was a
devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who dedicated her life to her Lord and her
family. She was a woman of strength and humility and a constant source of inspiration. She lived a life
full of joy and contentment, never complaining, always putting others first.

Helen’s life was a beautiful reflection of the virtuous woman from Proverbs 31:10-31 and a reminder of
how blessed we all were to know and love a shining example of the “greatest generation.”
Besides her parents, she was predeceased by Jack, her beloved husband of 67 years, her son Gary Lowell
Parker, three sisters, Alma B. Sandefur, Edna B. Arnsdorff, Katherine B. Floyd, and two brothers, James
Bowman, and Eugene Bowman. Surviving are her daughter, Ronda Parker Johnson and husband Robert
H. Johnson, Jr. (Bob), grandchildren, Kevin Lowell Johnson, Kristi Elizabeth Johnson and husband Dana
Wade Johnson and her great-grandchildren, Wade Parker Johnson and Lucy Elizabeth Johnson, and
many nieces and nephews.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers any memorial donations be made to First Presbyterian
Church, 520 East Washington Avenue, Savannah, GA 31405. A private Celebration of Life, conducted by
Dr. Stephen Williams, will be held at Hillcrest Abbey with interment to follow.