Annette Parker

Annette Parker, of Del City, OK, passed away on the 17th of February 2025 due

to natural causes. She was 90 years old.

Annette was born on September 14th, 1934, to Walter Sterling Tyler, and Finetta 

Tyler in Gather, Oklahoma, near McAlester, and was the youngest in a family 

of 5 children. She graduated from McAlester High School in 1953.

Annette loved to serve others, loved God, and loved people. She raised 4 boys,

but often had many others in her home, and many “kids” claim her as a

second mother. Annette served as a church secretary for the Del City Church

of Christ for more than 20 years, taught Bible classes, worked with Vacation

Bible School, supervised the Mother’s Day out and Friday School programs, and

served with the Oklahoma Christian University Women’s Association. She loved

to feed people. Whether it was friends the boys brought home after school or

on holidays, at Camp Rock Creek, Wednesday night meals, or Whiz Kids, she

loved to take care of people’s needs. Her grilled cheese sandwiches were a

thing of legend. She absolutely loved serving everyone, and her biggest joy

was feeding kids in the Whiz Kids program and/or at Camp Rock Creek.

Annette was also an accomplished Mary Kay salesperson. She loved working

with women to empower them and help bring out the best in them. She

mentored and befriended many women from multiple generations, taught

women’s classes, led women’s retreats, and always worked to equip people for

service.

Annette met Burton in 1948 when she won a pair of roller skates that Burton

thought he should win. Burton and Annette spent many hours on the floor of

the roller rink in the armory in McAlester. They were married in 1952, going 

on to have 4 boys. Burton and Annette were married for 72 ½ years and had

 a joyful, happy home.

Annette was preceded in death by her mother and father, Walter and Finetta

Tyler; brothers, Freeman and Walter Tyler; sister, Minnie Kelley; and

daughter-in-law, Emma Parker. She is survived by her husband, Burton Parker;

sister, Lilly Mae Henry; children, Terry and Dee Parker, Gary Parker, Bruce and

Genie Parker and Kyle Parker; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren,

and even more people who called her mom and friend.

Annette’s funeral will be Monday, February 24th at 2:00 PM at the Del City

Church of Christ. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations be made

to Camp Rock Creek, the Wednesday night meals program, or ongoing

kitchen programs at the Del City Church of Christ.

Annette will be missed daily by everyone who knew and loved her.