Sonia Geraldine Parker, 74, daughter of the late Weldon and Cora Lee Thrasher, was born on Aug. 7, 1945, in Belle Vernon (Arnold City). After being cared for at the Monongahela Valley Hospital for a short while, Sonia departed to meet her heavenly father on Wednesday, May 20, 2020. She was a 1963 graduate of Bellmar High School. Sonia retired after working several jobs, her last being at the Verland Foundation as a personal caregiver. As an honorable, humble and faithful servant of the Lord, she served as a deaconess, Sunday school teacher, was a member of the financial committee and the pastors aid committee at First Christian Church. She was also the president of the Greater Pennsylvania State Usher board and was honored in August 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio by the National Convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW) for her 30 years of faithful service. Sonia had a great love for bowling. She was a longtime standing member of the Thursday night mixed league at Brunswick 51 Lanes in Belle Vernon. She proudly raised her family and fostered several children over the latter years of her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Ray O. Parker Sr., her sisters, Dr. Shirley Thrasher and Millicent Sellers; three brothers, Richard Thrasher, Melvin Thrasher (Red), Stephen Thrasher; and a grandson, Devin Lint. Sonia leaves to cherish her memory three sons, Philip Parker (Mary) of Smyrna, Del., Ray O. Parker Jr. of Belle Vernon and Richard Parker of Pittsburgh; an adopted daughter, Mya Parker of Belle Vernon; two sisters; Sylvia Joyner of Las Vegas, Nev., and Kathleen Hill of Soperton, Ga.; seven grandchildren: Casey, Bryan, Marissa, Phylicia, Narissa, Jason and Jordan; five great grandchildren, LeDarrion, Davine, Jayceon, Coryann and Melvin Joseph; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and many very special friends. First Christian Church of Wickhaven, located at 123 First Christian Road, Wickhaven, PA 15492, is the location for the viewing from noon to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, 2020, and the funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, 2020. Flowers and condolences may be sent to Eley/McCrory Funeral Home Inc., located at 334 Main St., Fayette City, PA 15438. Keeping in compliance with the county and state mandate of “yellow phase,” attendance will be limited to 25 people at a given time. Guests are asked to please abide by personal protective guidelines, masks, social distancing and limiting their visitation time to 5 minutes.
