Karen Parker

And then there were four.  Karen Lorraine Parker, 69, known as one of Lorraine Parker’s “Five K’s” of Cloister Drive, succumbed to the ravages of Early Onset Alzheimer’s on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. Karen was born in St. Louis, Missouri. She retired early from Wachovia Bank due to her illness. Growing up Karen sang, acted, and was fond of Little Theater. She adored children and always had a special rapport with them.  She was a lover of animals, especially birds, and in later life she had a talent for taking photographs at just the right second to take incredible pictures. And she very much disliked the cold weather! When Karen finally had to be placed at Mallard Ridge Memory Care unit, she was so sweet as to try and interact and help with others in the same unit. She was happy when she was there and the staff was very fond of her. Karen was preceded in death by our beloved mother, Lorraine Parker, who helped welcome her into Heaven, as well as her Uncle Kelly Corcoran and other family members and friends. Survivors left behind to cherish her memory are her brothers Keith Parker of Deltona, Florida; Kevin Parker of Winston-Salem; Kerry Parker of East Bend; sister Kathy Parker of Winston-Salem; honorary sister and best friend of 27 years I’Ans Reeder of Clemmons, North Carolina; beloved aunt Dorothy Corcoran of Mount Olive, Illinois; nieces Heather Parker of West Palm Beach, Florida and Amy Parker of King, North Carolina; nephew Jeff Parker (Sandie) of  Berkley , Massachusetts; great nephews Brandon Parker of  Orlando, Florida, and Gavin Parker of  Berkley, Massachusetts; friend Don Clarke of Clemmons; and other loved family members and close friends. Our family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to I’Ans Reeder for always being there for Karen and for giving her opportunities of travel and events that Karen would not have otherwise experienced. These included going to Disneyworld on her 50th birthday, along with a great celebration while she was there. She also visited Renaissance Fairs which she thoroughly enjoyed.  We would also like to thank Mallard Ridge Assisted Living for the care of our sister for the last two and a half years. A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:00 PM Wednesday, August 18, 2021, at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28215, the Animal Care Foundation, a 501c3 tax deductible animal welfare organization located at 11141 Old U.S. Hwy 52 #5, Winston-Salem, NC 27107, or to the Carolina Tiger Rescue at 1940 Hanks Chapel Rd., Pittsboro, N.C. 27312. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com