Doris Parkman

Doris Parkman of Palmetto, Georgia, died peacefully surrounded by her family early Sunday afternoon, February 7, 2016. Doris was dedicated to her family and to serving God. Doris was the youngest and last survivor of the eleven children of Malcolm and Ida McKoy. Doris is survived by her six children, Dan Parkman (Nancy), Leawood, Kansas, Susan Shillito (Bob), St. Louis, Missouri, Henry Parkman (Diane), Decatur, Georgia, Leslie Roe (Brian), Durham, England, Laura Pfister (Carl), Suwanee, Georgia, and Olivia Fordham (Rob), Snellville, Georgia, fifteen grandchildren, and ten great grandchildren. Her loving husband Hugo and two grandchildren preceded Doris in death. Doris was born on April 22, 1922, and grew up on a small farm in Logan, Cullman County, Alabama. She was active in 4-H Club and served on the debate and basketball teams at Cullman County High School. Doris was the first in her family to attend college. Following high school graduation, Doris enrolled in Alabama College in Montevallo, Alabama, where she majored in secretarial science. Doris graduated in 1945 with a B.S. degree, then attended WMU Training School in Louisville, Kentucky, to study religious education, where she became friends with Hewlett Parkman. In 1946, Hewlett invited Doris to visit Hewlett’s home in Langdale, Alabama. There, Doris met Hewlett’s brother Hugo, who had just returned to Alabama after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Hugo and Doris quickly realized that they were meant for each other, fell in love, got married in Nashville on December 31, 1946. They started a home together in Langdale, Alabama, where Hugo founded and managed a motel. In 1956, then with four young children, Doris and Hugo felt God’s calling and were appointed to serve as foreign missionaries by the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board. In December 1957, now with two new babies, Doris, Hugo and their six children moved to Manila, Philippines. Doris and Hugo soon started a church in their home. That church grew and, 57 years later, is still thriving in the bank district in Makati, Philippines. Doris founded a children’s school at the church, and served as director for many years. In 1984, Hugo and Doris retired from their service as Baptist missionaries, and moved to Decatur, Georgia, where they became active in the First Baptist Church of Decatur. In 2005, they moved to Palmetto, Georgia in 2005. Doris and Hugo joined Palmetto Baptist Church, where Doris remained active after Hugo’s passing. Viewing will be between 6 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2016, at the Parrott Funeral Home, 8355 Senoia Road, Fairburn, Georgia. A memorial service will be held at the Old Palmetto Baptist Church on Saturday, February 13, 2016, at 11 a.m. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, February 12, 2016, at the Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering through local Baptist churches or online at the International Mission Board website. Those wishing may sign the on line guestbook at www.parrottfuneralhome.com. Parrott Funeral Home & Crematory, 770-964-4800.

Doris Parkman

April 22, 1922 - February 7, 2016