Barbara Lee Parker

Barbara Lee Parker, 88, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 16, 2025. She was born on October 20, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio. She was the daughter of Delmar Pearl and Ethel Marie (Painter) Stocker. 

Barb was a loving mother, grandmother, wife, and friend who spent many years teaching children at McAdams Elementary and Olive Branch Middle School in New Carlisle, OH in the 1970s and 1980s. During the 1990s and 2000s, at Indianola Middle School, YMCA After School program and Godman Guild Summer Day Camp in Columbus, OH. Post retirement, she operated the freight elevator at The Value City Arena, Schottenstein Center at The Ohio State University where she greeted coaches, players, staff, and performers with professionalism and a smile.

Barbara enjoyed sports and was in GAA at North High School in Columbus, OH and played girls basketball at The Ohio State University for 3 years. Throughout her lifetime, she was a very loyal fan of the Buckeyes, regardless of the sport.

She enjoyed hiking, camping, archery, card games, and traveling. She visited all 50 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, and Bahamas. To date, she was the only female board member in the history of the Oakland Park Conservation Club in Marengo, OH, which her father was a founding member.

Combining her love of the outdoors, sports, and guiding children, she volunteered her time with the Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Explorer Post, girls’ basketball, girls’ softball, Med Lake Lions Little League Baseball, and Kirkmont Presbyterian Church camp. She was also a Sunday school teacher at the First Presbyterian Church in Fairborn, OH and Honey Creek Presbyterian Church in New Carlisle, OH. 

Her passion for animals led her to work for a veterinarian in Huber Heights, OH and was a docent at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for over 2 decades. 

She is survived by son Greg Curry and Daughter-in-Law, Maureen. Son, Robert (Bob) Curry and Daughter, Beverly (Lynn) Bell. Grandchildren include Heather Bell, Kevin Curry, Steve Curry, Will Curry and Dan Curry. Barbara is preceded in death by her first husband John Franklin Curry, and second husband Arthur Andrew Parker.

On March 21, 2025, from 1-3 PM a Celebration of Life will be held at The Park of Roses Whetstone Shelter house located at 3901 North High St, Columbus OH 43214. Final interment will be at Union Cemetery, Columbus, OH in a private ceremony. 

Expressions of sympathy, in her name can be made to Oakland Park Conservation Club, Scholarship fund PO Box 249, Marengo, OH 43334 or Godman Guild, Day camp fund, 195 North Grant Ave, Columbus, OH 43215.