Parker Bean

Parker B. Bean was born in Tarboro, North Carolina on September 30, 1941. Her parents later moved to Wilmington, North Carolina where her father was employed in the shipyards throughout the remaining years of world war two.

After graduation from Wilmington High School Parker continued her education; earning a Bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina followed by a Master's Degree from Duke University.

She began her professional career as an instructor at Carteret Community College in Morehead City, North Carolina and later became the Director of Technical Education there.

In September 1979 Parker met her husband Ward, an Iowa Western Community College Associate Dean, at a conference of community college educators in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Parker and Ward were married September 12, 1981 in Beaufort, North Carolina and moved with him to Council Bluffs, Iowa where she later became the Assistant Public Works Director for the city; retiring in 2000.

Parker, a life long Baptist, was an active member of First Baptist Church serving as kitchen manager, overseeing congregate meals and other duties. She also started the Stevens Ministries Program and served as a teacher/mentor in the Wednesday Evening children's programs.

Parker also served on boards and committees of several local organizations including the American Association of University Women, Network CB., Children's Square USA, and the Visiting Nurse Association.

Parker was preceded in death by her parents William and Tunis Bryant; sister, Ann Bass all of Wilmington, North Carolina and her father and mother-in-law, Clifford and Adeline Bean of Auburn, Nebraska.

She is survived by her loving husband Ward of Council Bluffs, Iowa; daughter, Kimberly and husband Chris Santora of Fremont, Nebraska; son, Jeffery and wife Christa Bean of Haddonfield, New Jersey; grandchildren, Emma Santora of Lawrence,, Kansas, Joshua and wife Molly Santora of Rockville, Maryland, Jacob Santora of Fremont, Nebraska and Joseph Bean of Rochester, New York and great-grandson, Lawrence Santora of Rockville, Maryland.

Parker is also survived by he loving sister-in-law, Sharon Eccles of Ogden, Iowa; nephews, Dr. Randy and wife Kathy Eccles and sons Chris and Aiden of Ashburn, Virginia and Matthew and wife Lisa Eccles and sons Colton and Cody of Madrid, Iowa.

Family Services will be held at a later date.

Memorials can be made to her favorite charities; Midlands Humane Society, Children's Square USA or First Baptist Church.