Alva Parker

Alva Lorraine Sickles Parker, 84, of Concord, passed away early Sunday, May 2, 2021 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.

Alva was born in Longbranch, NJ on September 20, 1936 to Norman and Juanita Sickles and attended school at Middletown Township. After graduating, she began clerical work at Fort Monmouth, NJ where she met her future husband, Bob. After only three months of dating, they married on New Year’s Day in 1955. The couple resided in New Jersey until they relocated to Concord, NC in 1971. Alva began working as a typist and proofreader for the Concord Tribune, and then later worked for Northeast Hospital in Patient Accounts until her retirement.

Upon retiring, she and her husband enjoyed traveling with Christian Tours, taking various cruises with friends, staying active in church and spending time with friends and family. Alva was quite the competitor in a game of Shuffleboard and she loved going to the Senior Center for an evening of dancing with her husband. She had a zest for life; her energy was contagious and seemingly never-ending from the early morning when she awoke until she sat down in the evening. Alva was an excellent cook and always had a “sweet treat” ready to offer any visitors who stopped by. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. Her love for Jesus was evident through her joy, her concern for others, and her selfless heart. Everyone who knew her loved her.

Alva is survived by her husband of 66 years, Bobbie Parker; their three children, Eugene Parker, Jr. (Ellen), Cheryl Widenhouse (Eric), and Patricia Cashwell (Hank); six grandchildren, Stephanie DeSerio (David), Alexandra Parker (Dheepan), Chelsea Cashwell, Luke Widenhouse (Candace), A.T. Cashwell, and Graham Parker; and two great-grandsons Atticus DeSerio (4) and Copeland Widenhouse (1).

A memorial service will be held at Wilkinson Funeral Home in Concord on Monday, May 24, 2021 at 2:00pm for those who would like to attend. The service will also be available for viewing live on the Wilkinson Funeral Home Facebook page for those who are unable to be there in person. You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/wilkinsonfuneralhome.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. There is a tribute for donations set up in her name that you can access by going to this website: http://act.alz.org/goto/alvaparker

The family would like to thank Kathy and Caitlin for their dedicated efforts to provide Alva with excellent care. They would also like to thank Community Home Care and Hospice of Troy for all they have done and provided for Alva.