Margaret Nan Parker

Margaret “Nan” Henley Parker, 89, of Watkinsville, GA, peacefully passed away on March 23, 2025 at St. Mary’s Highland Hills Village Memory Care Unit. 

Born in Jacksonville, FL to the late Dr. Charles F. Henley, Sr. and Ruby (Chambers) Henley, “Poppy and Mamie,” Nan was the apple of her Daddy’s eye and she loved joining him on patient visits in the community! Growing up on 6 acres of land, Nan rode her horse, Dolly, to visit her friends. Nan attended Florida State University majoring in Fashion Design and Merchandising. A year prior to graduating, Nan met her future husband, Bill Parker, at a friend’s wedding where he was the floral designer. Very shortly thereafter, Bill proposed and Nan’s father insisted they wait a year until Nan had graduated from college. Nan and Bill waited the year and then married. Nan taught middle and high school Home Economics for the majority of her career along with a short time teaching Kindergarten with her son, Henley, a student! A favorite story was how, on graduation day, Nan was playing the piano for her class to sing and Henley turned his chair around and had his back to the audience! Nan was always on the go... she never sat still... she loved teaching, sewing, cooking, singing in her church choirs as well as playing the organ and the piano, often at church! Her students always loved her! There is absolutely no telling how many pounds of Crystalized Peanuts and loaves of Poppyseed Bread she made for EVERYONE over the years! Later in life, Nan & Bill created Parker Patch Crafts and had SO much fun crafting together, doing shows and meeting people! Bill loved to travel and especially loved cruises. Nan didn't share that love; however, always ended up having a blast! They bought a maltese named Zoe and loved that dog more than life itself! Nan ended up living at St. Mary’s Highland Hills in Watkinsville over the past 3 years. She loved the staff at this facility and they ended up being like family to her! Her nicknames at Highland Hills include Nan Nan, Granny, and Nanna Pan! At the end of her life, they took such wonderful care of her and Amy. They dressed her in her favorite purple nightgown, purple fuzzy socks, and purple fingernails ready to go to Heaven! We KNOW that her husband, Bill, made her arrival spectacular and said, "Big Chick, what took you so long? Zoe and I have been waiting on you!” St. Mary’s Highland Hills support, friendship, and dedication to Nan will never be forgotten.

Nan is survived by her brother, Charles F. Henley, Jr. (Nancy); children, Nancy Noll (Terry), Henley Parker (Nancy) and Amy Bostdorff (Chris); grandchildren, Terry Noll, Jr.(Erin), Christopher Noll (Jessica), Hannah Leone (Nicolas), Madison White (Richard) and Jacob Bostdorff; great grandchildren, Riley Noll, Brady Noll, Colby Noll, and Parker Noll. 

A Celebration of Life will take place in April at St. Mary’s Highland Hills in Watkinsville. Details will be posted on the children’s social media pages.

Lord and Stephens, West is in charge of arrangements.