Mary Lou Parker

Mary Lou Parker

December 5, 1955 to December 29, 2025

Mary Lou Parker, age 70, of South Bend, Indiana, passed away Monday, December 29, 2025, at Memorial Hospital. She was born on December 5, 1955, to the union of Shirley Henderson and Eddy Hadley. She lived her entire life in South Bend, Indiana.  Mary attended South Bend Community Schools and later worked for Uniroyal Factory located in Mishawaka, IN for several years before retiring. She later worked as a caregiver too many and in hospitality, which she enjoyed.

Mary loved eating, cooking and dancing.  She also enjoyed visiting the casino with family and would often ask everyone she met for a dollar, 50 cents, or a few pennies. She was also known for accepting home cooked meals and sharing the leftovers with others. Her favorite thing to do was barbecue on her charcoal grill and fry chicken wings. One thing about Mary is that when she loved you, she loved you hard. But when she disliked you, she had no problems with letting you know, that was just her personality.  Mary often called people by different names rather than using their real name. She always made up a nickname for everyone, especially if she liked you.  

Mary was Preceded in death by: Mother, Shirley Thomas; Stepfather, Lee W. Thomas; Father, Eddie Hadley; Brothers, Clifford James Thomas and Sammy Lee Craft; Mary’s Maternal and Paternal grandparents along with her precious daughter Rotania (RIH).

Mary is survived by her husband, Ronnie Parker; Children: Lakeesha Perkins (Terrence Perkins); Nikia Vanison; Takeisha Thomas-Bradford (Mario Bradford); Yahniqua Thomas; Drayshaun Thomas; Grandchildren: Daeshawn Bates, Lashayla Jones, Yahkeem Perkins, Kayshiana Carter, Za’charayahu Ysshachar-Matthews, Ja'marien Thomas and Mario Bradford Jr.  Siblings: Sherry Williams, Patricia Thomas, Bernard Thomas, Cynthia Thomas, Lee W. Thomas Jr., Iris Thomas, Step Siblings: Nona Kay Thomas and Anthony Wilbourn and a host of other loved ones such as nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends. Special friends: Lutisha Moss, Valerie Murphy, Kim Lottie, Dawn Stork and Miss Carol.

Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 3 at 12:45 PM at Laymen Chapel Church, 303 S Kenmore St. South Bend, IN 46619. Repast will follow immediately after services for family and close loved ones. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to www.boydandsonfuneralhome.com where condolence maybe shared.

Service 

Saturday Jan 3, 2026

12:45 Family Gathering 

1PM Memorial Service 

Laymen Chapel CME Church

Repast: 2PM Laymen Chapel 

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