Obituary of Terry Brown Parker

Terry Brown Parker passed away at home on Monday, April 8, 2019. She had been cared for at home by her family and caregivers after a brain aneurysm left her severely handicapped nearly 26 years ago.

 

She was born Terry Lynn Brown in October 1949 in Charlotte, NC, the only child of John Bruce Brown and Lillian Mae (Smith) Brown. She was raised in the Steele Creek area that was originally settled by many of her relatives, and where many still reside today. She was a 1968 graduate of Olympic High School. Terry was very active during her high school years at Olympic, serving on Student Council her junior and senior years, and as Senior Class Vice-President. She was a cheerleader, served on Homecoming Court, and was a member of several other academic clubs. She also briefly went to Meredith College in Raleigh before returning home to start a family.

 

Terry loved her family and children with all her heart. She was a coach for their sports, a cheerleader for their triumphs, a friend or shoulder to cry on when they didn’t triumph. Her family lost her, as they knew her, when she was only 42 as a result of the damage from the aneurysm. Her three younger children were teenagers in high school at the time. All of her family missed her presence during very important times in their lives. Her grandchildren never had the chance to know her as the fun-loving person she was before the aneurysm. She would have been so thrilled to be a grandmother and spoil her grandkids like grandparents do.

 

Terry is survived by: her husband, best friend, and main caregiver of 35 years, Alvin Parker, of the home.

Her children, their spouses, and grandchildren:

Kelly Speckman Henninger (Robert)- Katie Maelyn & Rachel Brown Henninger of Belmont, NC

M. Damien Speckman (Wendy)- Brody Hensley & Cole Michael Speckman of Cornelius, NC

Jeremy B. Speckman (Celeste)- Lilliana Belle Speckman of West Palm Beach, FL

Nicholas A. Speckman of Cornelius, NC

Amy N. Parker (Karyn Furr)- Rylee Furr & Camryn Burke of Charlotte, NC

 

Terry was preceded in death by her parents, Bruce and Lillian Brown.

 

Many years ago, Terry expressed her wish to be cremated, which will be honored. The family will hold a memorial service at a later date to celebrate her life and the reunion she is surely having with her parents, family, and friends who preceded her in death.

 

If you would like to be notified when the memorial service is planned, please leave a note of condolence requesting notification, and the family will be in touch with you.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Brain Aneurysm Foundation, in Terry’s name. It would help to ensure research will continue to make a difference for those yet to be diagnosed with an aneurysm or those recovering from one. 

 

Terry also had a great love for animals, big and small. If you have an animal charity that you would like to support, please do so in her name- she would certainly approve.

 

Please feel free to make a donation of support to any church or charity of your choice in Terry’s name, all are greatly appreciated.

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