Rachel Parker

Rachel passed away in the early morning hours of August 8, 2021, from her battle with pancreatic cancer. Although she lost her fight on Earth, Heaven has gained an angel. Her strife with medical issues first began as a child, yet she overcame and went on to build a beautiful life. Rachel was a kind and compassionate person that befriended many. Her proudest accomplishment were her three children that were truly gifts from God. She was a devoted wife and mother and will be remembered for her sharp wit and humor, as well as her grace and warmth. She loved family gatherings for Alabama football, the joy of music and the art of dance. She attended Jefferson State Community College and the University of Alabama in Birmingham where she studied Accounting and went on to become an asset to her profession. Her career started as a Staff Accountant at the firm of Potter, Bryant and Moore, CPA’s. This position led her to Mountain Brook City Schools where she served as the bookkeeper for Mountain Brook High School, working her way to the central office as the Payroll Manager. She recently made a career change to Pelham City Schools as the Payroll Manager where she found her true home.

She is survived by her husband, Chris Parker and their three girls, Kaytlinn Marie Parker (19), Karen Margaret Parker (8), and Olivia Suzanne Parker (6). Her father, David Michael Sims and her stepmother, Carolyn, Birmingham, AL, her sisters, Leslie Sims Brown (John), Springville, AL, Dana Sims Pruitt (Lester), her in laws, Gary Parker (Rita), Southside, AL, her sisters-in-law, Andrea Hardin (EJ), Madison, AL, Kellie Arrington (Adam), Glencoe, AL and her beautiful nieces and nephew, Erin Mackenzie Barr, Dorothy Faye Pruitt, Slade Parker Arrington, Sadie Ruth Arrington, aunts, uncles, and cousins, that loved her dearly. Rachel was preceded in death by her devoted mother, Susan Margaret Sims.

Family and friends will gather at Jefferson Memorial on Saturday, August 14, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. A private graveside service for family only will follow at Jefferson Memorial’s adjoining cemetery where she will be buried next to her beloved mother in the Garden of the Good Shephard.