Suzanne Sachse Wallace Parker was born on February 13, 1943, in Chickasha, OK to Garnet Evelyn (Hill) Wallace and the late James Sachse Wallace, who passed away while serving in WWII just three short months before Suzanne’s birth. Her mother then re-married John T. (Jake) Cobble and Suzanne was blessed with younger brother Tom and little sister Mary Jane. The family settled in Minco, OK where Suzanne attended school and graduated in 1961.
She continued her education at Oklahoma City University where she earned her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education. While at OCU, she stumbled upon a young man named Billy G. Parker and before they finished school, they were united in marriage on January 25, 1963 at the First United Methodist Church in Minco; what would be the beginning of a beautiful 61year life together.
Suzanne and Bill immediately knew they shared a driving passion for the human community and this motivated them to join the faculty of the Ecumenical Institute and the Institute of Cultural Affairs, working in human development at every level of society from Oklahoma City to Dallas, Miami, Chicago, Indianapolis, then to Paris, France and finally to Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire before returning to Oklahoma City in 1985. Throughout the years of that journey Suzanne taught elementary school, and used all of her earnings to provide funding for a local staff to get running water and other basic essentials to areas in need in local communities. While serving, they were blessed with two children, Andrew Kennedy Parker and Angela Marie Parker, into their family.
As the years passed, the young family decided to relocate back to the states and settled in Oklahoma City where Suzanne then began a rewarding 21-year teaching career at Westminster School. Suzanne had such a deep appreciation for education and inclusion, resulting in many of her students forming a lifelong connection with “Mrs. Parker.”
Following her retirement in 2010, Suzanne and Bill enjoyed traveling to Gander, Newfoundland in exploration of answers regarding her father’s MIA WWII death and returning to Paris, relishing in the changes since they had lived there. They spent years cultivating a butterfly garden in their yard and Suzanne found great joy and solace in admiring the multitude of wildlife that creation offered. She spent hours knitting afghan blankets and scarves, winning 1st place and Best of Show in the Oklahoma State Fair in 2023 for one of her beloved pieces; which will be forever cherished.
Suzanne and others helped found the non-profit organization PambeGhana in Oklahoma City, which is a partnership for bi-lingual, Montessori-based education for children in remote communities in Northeastern Ghana. She was a volunteer for Pambe Ghana’s fair-trade Global Market, open in November and December in Oklahoma City, in which all earnings funds about 1/3 of the budget of the model school in Ghana. She was continuing her life’s work to help provide aide for those children until her passing. She was a member of the Wesley United Methodist Church and supported the Wesley Montessori School for neighborhood children. Suzanne would often be found enjoying her books, classic music, a cup of tea or good glass of wine and good conversation. No one however, received more love and generosity from her than her family. She would do anything for her family. The legacy of her life will carry on to future generations.
Suzanne passed away unexpectedly after a brief illness on Friday, December 27, 2024 at the age of 81; just days after hosting a wonderful family Christmas. Survivors include her husband, Bill Parker of Oklahoma City, OK; son, Andrew Parker; daughter, Angela Parker, all of Oklahoma City, OK; two grandchildren, Kennedy Parker of Oxford, MS and Greyson Parker of Edmond, OK; brother, Tom Cobble and wife Lela of the Oklahoma City area; brother-in-law, Gary Crosby of Newcastle, OK; sister-in-law, Charlotte Betche of Cordell, OK; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and an abundant amount of friends, past students, colleagues in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Library Sort Site, the Library for the Blind, and many other people and places.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sachse Wallace, Jake and Garnet Cobble; sister, Mary Jane Crosby; and brother and sister-in-law, Dewayne and Maxine Parker.
Services will be at the Wesley United Methodist Church, 1401 NW 25th and Classen Saturday at 1:00pm with reception following to celebrate the wonder of her life. The celebration will be streamed on Facebook at wesleychurchokc.
We ask that those who wish to make donations in Suzanne’s memory can give to: Pambe Ghana, PO Box 18813, Oklahoma City OK 73154-88103, or to the Wesley Montessori Preschool at Wesley United Methodist Church.
The family appreciates the many prayers, gestures and kind words offered during this difficult time.
