In Memory of Donna Parris

When I first started this blog, I thought it would be fully devoted to my life with juvenile diabetes, and my fight to find a cure for it. This has turned into so much more. It is my life with diabetes thrown in. Therefore, I think it is important that I talk about my life and the important things that happen.

Have you ever heard someone that had the voice of an angel? I'm not talking American idol here, but someone who devoted her life to Christ and praised Him as she knew best; with her voice. Mrs. Parris is one of the few people I know that has the voice of an angel. She recently lost her battle with cancer, and it is a sad time for our church community, and especially the Parris family. I am glad that she has gone on to glory, but it is a shame to lose such a wonderful part of our church family. She was of the people I admired, because she was so talented, but so humble at the same time. I wish I could be as selfless as she was, and live up to the example she portrayed. She was a very important person, a very talented, very humble, very gracious person. She will be missed, her presence and her voice, but her memory will remain. Mrs. Parris has gone on to where she will be eternally happy, and know no pain or suffering. Now, she not only has the voice of an angel, she is singing with them. Rest in Peace, Mrs. Parris.

Obituary:

Donna M. Parris, age 50, of Peppermint Road, Coopersburg PA, died Saturday, September 22, 2007 surrounded by her family at her home. She is the wife of Gene E. Parris.
Born in Camden NJ, March 24, 1957, she is survived by her mother, Leota Y. (Williams) and step-father, John Roland of Sicklerville NJ and her father, Donald Draft Sr. of PA. Donna is a self-employed Voice and Piano Instructor in Pleasant Valley Music Studio in Springfield Township PA. She worked at DeSales University as a part-time Voice Teacher; Lehigh Valley Christian High School for 6 years as a Choral Director; and Quakertown High School as a Vocal Coach for 3 years.

A graduate of Edgewood High School (now Winslow High School) NJ in 1975 with honors, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Cedar Crest College, Allentown PA and a Master of Music Degree in Vocal Performance at Temple University, Philadelphia PA.

Donna served as a Member of Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, Coopersburg PA where she is the Choir Director, Treasurer of Woman's Ministries, Member of Worship Committee, Fellowship and Hospitality Committee. She is the Founder and Director of the Palisades Community Chorus; and volunteered vocally at Christian Women's Clubs. She taught the African-American Portrait experience through song and drama in community schools and churches. Donna volunteered many visits to nursing homes with song and sharing her gifts, giving people her time, especially during the holiday seasons, and always had time for a home-cooked meal and time of fellowship and reflections within the family.

In addition to her loving Husband of 28 years last February, Mother and Step-Father, Father, she is survived by her Sons, Gene E. II and his wife Kamari D. of Richmond VA and Joshua L. D. at home; Daughter, Courtney Y., wife of Stephen M. Doncevic of Hellertown PA; Brothers, Anthony C. and his wife Rose of Anaheim CA, Mark S., Ronald D. and his wife Sheila, and Donald Jr. and his wife Dyon of Sicklerville NJ; and Sister, Vicki B., wife of Jerome White also of Sicklerville NJ.

Family and Friends are invited to a visitation period from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 at the Calvary Bible Fellowship Church, 6782 North Main Street, Coopersburg PA. The service will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the Church with The Reverend Thomas P. Shorb and The Reverend Rick Paashaus, officiating. The interment will conclude services at the Calvary Church Cemetery. A “Celebratory Concert Among Friends of Donna M. Parris” will be announced via the website of the Funeral Home. The Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., Hellertown PA, is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, John and Dorothy Morgan Cancer Center; the Fox Chase Cancer Center; the American Cancer Society; and the Lydia Project of Atlanta Georgia, all C/O the Funeral Home, 326 Main Street, Hellertown PA 18055.