Mother Aretha Laverne Parker peacefully transitioned from this life to Glory on January 23, 2026 in Thomasville, North Carolina. She was born on October 29, 1968 in Lexington, North Carolina to the late Carlton Davis and Mary Louise Parker.

Affectionately known as "Ann," Mother Parker attended Lexington Senior High School and Davidson County Community College. A dedicated and hardworking woman, she faithfully served for many years in the workforce at Lexington Furniture Industries, Walmart, Ambleside Care and Dollar General. Wherever she worked, she worked hard, and it showed—service and consistency were simply part of who she was.

Mother Parker's spiritual journey began in the early 1980s at Lexington Christian Fellowship under the leadership of the late Rev. Paris Favors. Her love for God and the church only grew stronger with time. In 2018, under the leadership of her son, Bishop Javon O. Parker, she became the First Founding Member of The Breath of Life Deliverance Church, where she lovingly served as "The Mother of the Church." She was officially installed in this role in 2022 and remained faithful until her time of transition.

In addition to being the Mother of the Church, she served diligently on the Trustees Board and the Welcoming Committee, where she greeted everyone with a warm smile that made you feel instantly at home. She loved her church deeply—and her church loved her right back. Every Sunday you could find her clapping, rejoicing and praising God. She would often tell the musicians, "Y'all almost had me shouting!"—but almost. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 91:1, which she lovingly called her "911 Scripture."

Her pride and joy were her children and grandchildren. Her smile could light up a room and her laugh was contagious—you laughed simply because she did. She was truly the life of the party. Mother Parker loved shopping, flea markets and thrift stores, especially when she was with her riding partner and right-hand lady, "Aunt Vicki." She was a woman of her word—if she said it, that was it. Above all, she loved life, and she showed it every single day.

Mother Parker was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Louise Parker and Carlton Davis; her granddaughter, Mariah Scott; her grandparents, Louise and Wade Parker and DeWitt and Rosa Hamilton Davis; her sisters, Linda Hill and Cathy Bradley; and her brother, Troy Sullivan.

She leaves to cherish her precious memory her loving children: Laketa S. Richardson, Bishop Javon O. Parker, Joe Richardson, Jr., and Shamarkus D. Curry; sixteen grandchildren: Nijiyah, Michai, Ayanna, Nyshaun, Zaniyah, Khamoni, Chrishawn, Jayceon, Kayden, Aubrielle, Shamarkus, Jr., Zyiveon, Sahiem, Kimora, Kamyiah and Hysaan; and two adopted children, Tyrone Reid and Tyesha Reid.

She is also survived by eight sisters: Brenda Click, Tanya Hill, Robin Davis, Barbara Davis, Pam Hill, Wilma Davis, Tanna White and Jocelyn (Robert) Fuller; five brothers: David White, Terry White, Carlton Davis, Jr., Chris Bradley and Chris Davis; five aunts: Victoria Parker, Wilma Brooks, Emma Cowan, Sabina Cade and Jameisha Gilmore; two uncles, Victor Parker and Thomas Davis; her godchildren: Zephaniah Tuttle, Lakiah Mcneair, Timothy Cash, Travis Johnson and Porshea Jackson, ; her god-grandbabies: Brielle, Amiyah, Ziron, Alivia, Stevie, Krislynn and Patience; her GodMother, Geraldine Bennett; special friends Charles Curry, Jimmy Tuttle, Avery Verdell, Edward Taylor, Virginia Mock, Dena McCauley , Patricia Dye, Lakeisha Stafford and Mary Click; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, The Breath of Life Deliverance Church Family and the countless lives touched by her radiant smile.

Mother Aretha Laverne Parker, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."
— Matthew 25:21

The Homegoing Service will be held on Saturday at Files Chapel Baptist Church. Family visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by the service at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at South Lexington City Cemetery.

Public viewing for Ann will be held on Friday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Roberts Funeral Service.