Virginia Grimes Parker

Virginia Mae Mock (1927-2018) was born and raised in Statesboro, GA. In 1944, she had finished business college in Savannah, GA, and was working in her father's grocery store in Statesboro, GA. She met and fell in love with a young man, Charles Grimes, who was working across the street in a car repair shop. In 1945 they decided to elope, and a year later their daughter, Phyllis, was born.When Phyllis began school, Virginia began working. After a year or so, she obtained employment with John Hancock's farm and ranch loan division in Statesboro. Eventually, she rose to be a paralegal, closing loans under the tutelage of their attorney in Boston. She would work with John Hancock until her retirement 35 years later.In 1967 Charles began experiencing health problems. For 17 years Virginia worked full-time while caring for Charles through several debilitating diseases until his death in 1985.In 1988 Virginia married Arnold Parker, a retired tax commissioner and state senator from Milledgeville. They lived an active life in Statesboro for nine years - travelling and "camping" in his travel trailer. In 1997 they moved to Lawrenceville to be near Phyllis. Just a year later, Arnold passed away suddenly.Virginia lived in Lawrenceville for another 19 years. As her health began to fail, she remained at home as long as possible. At age 90 she entered a senior living facility under hospice care. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 17.She is survived by her daughter, Phyllis Grimes, of Lawrenceville and her sister, Christine Jones, of Ocala, Florida, several nieces and nephews.A Memorial Service for Mrs. Parker will be held on October 7, at 4:00 p.m, at Tom M. Wages Lawrenceville Chapel at 120 Scenic Highway in Lawrenceville. Visitation with the family will be held from 2:30-4:00 p.m. A service for the interment of cremated remains will be held in Statesboro on Friday, October 12, at 1:00 p.m. at Eastside Cemetery on Highway 80.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Virginia's memory to Paws 4 Life, Inc., a no kill animal rescue organization that she supported (P.O. Box 216, Clayton, Ga. 30525). Condolences to the family can be made at www.wagesfuneralhome.com.Read Obituary