Life Reflections

Marvice Jacqueline Sims was born on July 4, 1944, in Alexandria, Louisiana, to the parents of McKinley Sims, a soldier, and Addie Ruth Fox Sims, a teacher. Later, her mother divorced and returned to her hometown of Jacksonville, Alabama. She married Rev. Dr. (Pastor) Joseph C. Parker Sr. in 1951 in Anniston, Alabama and became Marvice's father until his death. His varied pastorates led them to live in Anniston, Montgomery, and Birmingham, Alabama, and Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas.

Many childhood memories of Marvice include her having a strong will and joyful attitude about life, often seen in her taking her piano lessons and in her habit of riding her bicycle to the end of the street after dinner, making up songs about people in the neighborhood, having a good relationship with her mother's sister, calling her every month to have milkshakes, giving her the name "Auntie" – as distinguished from other cousins calling her "Aunt Milton" – influencing her siblings also to call her by that name, Marvice attended Patterson Elementary School and A.L. Parker High School in Birmingham and later transferred to Carol William Hayes High School, which was closer to her neighborhood of Woodlawn in Birmingham. She also attended Spelman College but transferred to and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary Education from Miles College in Birmingham, Alabama, where she sang in the Glee Club and was a member of the Las Chicas singing group. She furthered
her education at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas, where she obtained a Master of Education degree in Special Education.

Marvice was a hard worker and outstanding teacher who received many accolades for her work. She also enjoyed many activities, including playing the piano and watching and rooting for the LA Lakers and Dallas Mavericks basketball teams, whether from her reserved seat or home. She also was a Dallas Cowboys fan. She routinely participated in exercising, swimming, and walking with family and friends. She participated in local AARP activities and enjoyed going to the movies while eating popcorn. She was fond of going out to eat with family and friends. Her adventurous spirit inspired her to go on several cruises. She also volunteered at Methodist Charlton Medical Center.

Like her mother, she was fashionable (with her love of bright colors), had a generous spirit, was very bright, had an exceptional memory, and had a great sense of humor. She loved shopping for the finer things in life and loved her siblings. Marvice was a third-generation teacher and retired from the Dallas Independent School District in 2003 after a decades�long teaching career at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in the Georgia, California, and Texas school systems. After retirement, she worked as a substitute teacher in the Dallas school system until 2019. I believe the year is correct; I know she subbed up to Covid.

She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age. Although she was a member of the Baptist church where she was raised, she later joined and became a longtime, devoted, generous, and proud member of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas. She enjoyed attending Mass and contributing to the various ministries. She had a GREAT love for Alan, her only child. He was her pride and joy, and he was the person she talked about constantly. She always wanted the best for him and displayed it through her efforts. She made many sacrifices for him throughout the
years.

Marvice was preceded in death by her parents, McKinley Sims and Addie Ruth Fox Parker, and Rev. Dr. Joseph C. Parker, Sr. Marvice is survived by her son, Alan Lee Sims, and her siblings: Rev. Dr. Joseph C. Parker, Jr., Esq. (J. LaVerne Morris Parker), Gail B. Parker, Lynne N. Wheelock (Rev. Todd M. Wheelock), and Linda A. Zanders (Deacon Calvin Zanders). She also has four nieces: Jessica L. Parker-Batlle, Esq. (Rev. Dr. Jeremy D. Battle, Sr.), Jennifer L. Parker, Janetta L. Parker, and Sydney L. Zanders and two great nieces: Jordan L. Battle and Jennifer Jocie-Lauren Battle, one great-nephew, Jeremy D. Battle, Jr. and a host of relatives and friends.