Anita Jarrett Parker

Obituary for Anita Jarrett Parker,
New Orleans resident, Anita Jarrett Parker, was born to parents, George Tuley Jarrett and Clara Morgan Jarrett in Montgomery, Alabama on March 2, 1951. She was the oldest of their five children, now known as “The Sibs.” In addition to Anita they are Donna Sorrell (Larry) of Madison AL, Connie Muscarella (Jim) of Bluffton, SC, Buddy Jarrett (Lori) and Kay Cornelison (Donnie) of Ardmore, TN. Anita and her husband of nearly twenty years, Frank Chase Parker, visited and vacationed with “The Sibs” often. Most of the time these visits were full of fun. Even on this sad occasion, they find a way to share uplifting stories. Before Anita died, all The Sibs came to New Orleans to say their good-byes and to be with Frank. Frank’s sons, Jeff Parker and Nathan Parker came to Frank’s house also, as did Frank’s grandsons, Baxter and Thomas. Other relatives joined in and many friends came by as well.
Those who did were greeted with the ruckus of Anita’s and Frank’s three little dogs, the curly whites Hanna and Polly, and the one-eyed, curly black “Gangsta” Gus. From the beginning the dogs have been members of the Parker family, enjoying long lap times with Anita - though Gus has had to wait his turn after the girls. Anita loved those little dogs. She loved The Sibs. She loved Frank, his sons and his son’s wife, Pumpkin, and his son’s sons, Baxter and Thomas, their sweetness, their liveliness and their love. Anita was an enthusiastic Saints Fan and she loved Jazz Fest, which she attended every year, even after she became ill. She loved all the friends and relatives that are now here to say good-bye.
After earning a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, Anita spent the majority of her professional life as an administrative assistant in Human Resources for several companies. The last of these was Entergy Corporation, from which she retired after fifteen years of making life-long work friends while capably tending to the needs of others.
The needs of others were always her main focus. In a gathering of family and friends, Anita would keep that focus on others in the room, not so much on herself. Casual relationships became caring friendships. If you went with her to get a cup of coffee, you would learn about the educational aspirations of the barista, or the illness of the barista’s grandmother. When Frank went by the vet to tell them about Polly and Hannah and Gus’s mother, the staff cried and hugged him.
In early February, 2013 Anita Parker was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. From that time forward she did what she could to live with that terrible disease. Those who loved her, especially Frank, did what they could. She lived much longer than expected. She squeezed the life out of every moment. Anita died surrounded by friends and family on January 10, 2020. Services will be privately held at a later date.
It would be an honor to her if, in lieu of flowers, you made a donation to the Ovarian Cancer Society or the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA). She would want the focus now to be on those who are living with ovarian cancer.