Obituary of Sally Ann Parker

CHAPEL HILL Sally Minor Parker died peacefully at her home in Chapel Hill, NC on Sunday, March, 10. Born in Batavia, New York on November 13, 1925 to Henry H. and Monica Hanley Minor, Sally soon developed a life-long love for horses. Later, while attending Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, FL, she met and subsequently married, Daniel S. Parker on October 10, 1945. They spent many years in Janesville, WI where they raised four children. While Dan served as President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board for The Parker Pen Company, she entertained an endless flow of business and personal visitors from all over the world. When he was later appointed to serve as Administrator of the Agency for International Development in the Nixon and Ford Administrations, Sally put these same skills to good use again at their home in Washington, DC, hosting the likes of Henry Kissinger, William P. Rogers, and many prominent politicians of the era. Following government service, they moved to the Charleston, SC area, where they eventually divorced. Sally chose to once again pursue her love of horses. She established the widely respected Cross Creek Farm in Cleveland, TN. As owner, breeder, trainer, and exhibitor of American Saddlebreds, she brought one World Champion after another into the show ring. She served on the Boards of both the American Saddlebred Association and Museum and the 4-H Club of America. In 2003 she moved to Easton, MD where her love of plants and flowers brought many to visit and admire her exquisite gardens. In 2009, she chose to settle in Chapel Hill. Sally, known to all for her caring and deeply loving advice, had wide reserves of wonderful friends, all of whom she cherished. She is survived by her brother Henry "Bud" Minor of Vero Beach, FL and Canandaigua, NY, and her children: Geoffrey Parker (Kearby) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; Steven Parker (Linda) of New York, NY; Jennifer Parker (Peter Rosenberg) of Hillsborough, NC; and Sarah Parker Daniels (Josh) of Isle of Palms, SC,; seven grandchildren: Douglas Parker (Alicia), Christopher Coleon (Elizabeth), Adrienne Coleon Gaskell (Devin), Olivia Coleon, Matthew Parker, Kathryn Parker, and Sarah Parker Topping; and three great-grandchildren: Sophie, Roger, and Charlotte; and her devoted caregiver, Claudia Palacios. A memorial service will be held at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill this Saturday at 1p.m., with visitation from 10 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning at the Walker Funeral Home. Burial will occur one week later in Batavia, NY. Flowers would be welcomed by the family and memorial donations may be sent to the UNC Hospice Association. Online condolences may be made at www.walkersfuneralservice.com