Patricia Enzor Parker

Patricia “Pat” Enzor Parker, 88, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 9, 2020.

Pat is survived by her husband of 66 years Jerry L. Parker, Sr.; her daughter Pamela Parker Myers and her husband Bill, and son Jerry (“J”) L. Parker, Jr.; granddaughter Alison Parker Dillehay and her husband Joseph; grandson Bill “Ivan” Myers III and his wife Kayla, and her step-granddaughter Tiffany Myers Barham and her family. Additionally, she is survived by her brother-in-law Francis “Frank” Parker and his wife Janice, and her sister-in-law Royce Parker Nichols and her husband Doug, and both their families.

Pat is also survived by countless adored cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, H. Isle and Florence Collins Enzor, sister Ila Enzor Campbell, first cousin Sadie Enzor Lee, and beloved nephews Ferrin Campbell, Jr., William “Willie” Enzor Campbell, and Parke Nichols..

Pat was born as Patricia Ann Enzor on March 10, 1932, to Isle and Florence Enzor at the Enzor Brothers Hospital in Crestview, Florida. Notably, she was delivered by her own uncle, Dr. Olin O. Enzor. She grew up around horses, using them as a primary mode of transportation – her father even carried Pat and Ila to school on a horse. Pat refined her horse riding prowess over the years, leading her to excel in competitions in Pensacola.

Her father, Isle, served as Okaloosa County’s Sheriff for many years. Her mother, Florence, served as a classroom teaching assistant, worked at The Crestview Apothecary, and was an avid gardener. She grew up close with her older sister, Ila, and her cousin, Sadie, who often lived with them.

Pat’s faith was always an important part of her life. She grew up as an active member of First United Methodist in Crestview and served as a district president of the Methodist Youth Fellowship in 1948. In her adult life, she was a faithful member of Woodlawn Baptist Church, also in Crestview.

Pat always valued education. During high school, she was in band, cheerleading, and various clubs. She often was chosen to act in plays due to her acumen with line memorization. At her high school graduation dance, Pat chose her future husband, Jerry Parker, as her dance partner for most of the evening’s dance numbers.

After graduating as valedictorian of Crestview High School on May 30, 1949, Pat attended the newly coeducational University of Florida in Gainesville, majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in science. At UF, she was a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, Gator Pep Club, and a coterie of other clubs. She was often sought after as a typist for local publications, which helped pay the bills. In the fall of her senior year, Pat was lauded with the honor of being the Chairman of the UF Centennial Homecoming Parade.

While in her senior year at UF, Pat reunited with her high school dance partner, Jerry Parker, who was nearby at Florida State University. Immediately following Jerry’s graduation, they married in Crestview on June 30, 1954.

While Pat and Jerry spent the large majorities of their lives in Crestview, Jerry’s Air Force service took them to sojourns at several bases, including those in San Antonio, Texas; Columbus, Mississippi; Big Spring, Texas; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico. While in Puerto Rico, their daughter Pam was born. Subsequently, their son J was born upon returning to Florida.

Pat never ceased learning or her pursuit of knowledge. After receiving a scholarship from the National Science Foundation, she went back to school at Florida State University to earn her Master's degree in elementary education with a concentration on elementary math in 1968.

Pat had a dynamic career, especially in education. She proudly served as an educator for many years, starting as a 6th grade teacher at Northwood Elementary School. She also taught at Bob Sikes Elementary School, Southside Elementary School, Pryor Junior High School and Crestview High School. Her career as an educator culminated with a tenure as the Dean of Students at Richbourg Junior High School. She cultivated and maintained lifelong relationships with many of her former students.

Additionally, she worked a variety of other jobs in her life, including Deputy Sheriff, legal secretary, real estate broker, and insurance bookkeeper. She only fairly recently retired in 2010, as the office manager of Okaloosa Insurance Agency, the business she built with Jerry.

Prior to her death, Pat and Jerry spent 66 years together as husband and wife. Their special bond truly exemplified enduring love, and served as a great example for their family.

Above all, Pat will be remembered as a loving mother, a doting grandmother, a dutiful friend, a devout Christian, and for her staunch demeanor, steadfast will, and firecracker wit. She truly cared about her neighbors and colleagues in her own unique and heartfelt manner.

Because of COVID-19 concerns, there was a private memorial service with immediate family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Pat’s memory to the Florida Baptist Children’s Home at fbchomes.org or Habitat for Humanity at www.habitat.org/support. Brackney Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.