Dorothy Velma Cammer Parker

Dorothy Velma Cammer Parker, 89, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, passed away on Thursday, January 23, 2025. Born on January 4, 1936, in Charlotte, North Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Richard William Cammer and Velma Mae Cammer.

A graduate of Central High School in Charlotte (Class of 1954), Dorothy attended Pfeiffer College. Dorothy married the love of her life, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Joel Ray Parker Sr., on September 1, 1957, in Charlotte. Together, they began their life at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After moving to Spartanburg in 1985, she supported her husband in establishing the first Army JROTC program in the county at Dorman High School.

Throughout their military career Dorothy remained active in military wives’ organizations, at one time serving as a founding member, and first president, of the Overseas Wives Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. This club served as a support group for the families of service members who had been deployed to Vietnam. Dorothy continued her service work once she and Joel settled in Spartanburg, serving as president of the Newcomers Club of Spartanburg.

Dorothy is survived by her devoted husband of 67 years, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Joel Ray Parker Sr.; her sons, Joel Ray Parker Jr. (Sylvia S.) of Niceville, FL, and Michael Jamison Parker (Cheri Ann) of Spartanburg, SC; her sister, Linda Carol Elmore of Greenville, SC; and her cherished grandchildren, Nicholas Richard Parker of Interlachen, FL, Westlee Choe Parker of Steilacoom, WA, and Jamison Kane Parker of Spartanburg, SC. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, James Richard Cammer.

Dorothy’s family will hold a private committal service. Following the service, the family will receive friends from 2:30-4:00 on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Heritage Chapel Mausoleum, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29307.

Donations in Dorothy’s memory can be sent to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.