Elizabeth "Jolly" Parker

Elizabeth “Jolly” Parker, 83 of Morehead City, NC passed away on Friday, December 24, 2021, at her home in Morehead City.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, December 31st at the First Presbyterian Church in Morehead City.  A visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m.

Elizabeth Kramer was born in Canton, Ohio on January 11, 1938, where her father immediately pronounced her a “Jolly” child.  The nickname took root and remained with her for life.  Jolly Kramer graduated from Lehman High School in 1956.  She spent 2½ years studying Spanish at the University of Michigan before she married her high school sweetheart and started a family.  Jolly and family moved to Morehead City in 1966 and never left. In 1974, Jolly began work as the receptionist for the Carteret County Board of Education where she retired some 30 years later.

After retiring, you would often see Jolly and her significant other, Tom Davis, walking hand in hand along the Beaufort Waterfront and later relaxing at the Dock House or the Back Street Pub.

Jolly loved to travel, was an avid reader and was passionately involved with her family and close friends.  She was extremely independent and believed wholeheartedly in the power of education, through life experience and travel as well as traditional schooling.  She took every opportunity to pass her values down to her daughters and grandchildren.  She accepted the challenges that life laid before her with grit and grace, as was evident in her regular attendance at Rock Steady Boxing classes for Parkinson’s while also battling cancer.

Special thanks to “Team Jolly,” the village of caregivers, friends & family who have extended limitless love and support.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Emanuel Kramer and Coletta Conley Kramer.

She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth “Beth” Parker Lindow and husband Fred, Patricia “Patty” Parker Mathes and husband Todd; and grandchildren, Noah Lindow, Coletta Lindow and Reagan Mathes.

Donations in her name may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association (APDA).

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.