Obituary

Virginia M. Parker
August 1, 1937 – May 26, 2025

It is with much sadness that we share that Virginia M. Parker, 87, formerly of Ventura County, California, a Missouri native, passed peacefully in her sleep on May 26, 2025, in Irvine, California – her beloved husband James C. “Jim” Parker was at her side.

Virginia was born to James Lester Winn and Marian V. Winn (Steele) in Deepwater, Henry County, Missouri on August 1, 1937. Virginia married her high school sweet-heart “Jimmy” Parker on October 25, 1955, upon Jim completing US Navy Basic Training. She was his loving wife of 69 years, accompanying him to their first duty station in Port Hueneme, CA, shortly after their honeymoon.

During her life, Virginia was not only a dedicated Navy wife and mom but also became a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), was one of the voices of the Channelaire Chorus of Sweet Adelines International, and toured Europe and performed at Carnegie Hall. She was also a quality assurance specialist for H&R Block, Inc., substitute teacher at Orange Grove Middle School, one of the Navy’s first Military Family Ombudsman during the Vietnam War, a budgeting specialist with Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society, a Girl Scout leader, Cookie Chairman and mentor, a Cub Scout Pack Mom, a devoted Band Booster Mom, excellent seamstress/costumer, and played a large part in many more community roles she handled with care. For Virginia, her family always came first, and her love and dedication to her husband were unquestionable. She was by Jim’s side as he retired from the US Navy Seabees in 1985 after 30 years of military travels and relocations.

She is survived by her husband James C Parker (EQCM/SCW, USN, Retired), a native of Johnson County, Missouri, and their four children: Margaret P Hays (Brooks) of Cantonment, FL; Mary J Parker (Ed Sheffield) of Madison, WI; Jamie P Murray (William) of Woodbridge, VA; and William M. Parker (Liza) of Irvine, CA; 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her “Mom,” Marian V. Shinkle (Steele, Winn), and “Daddy,” Marion C. Shinkle of Warrensburg, MO; her father, James Lester Winn of New York, and many loving maternal aunts, uncles, and several cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 6, at 2 pm in Laguna Hills, CA, at O’Connor Mortuary’s Laguna Hills Chapel, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills, CA. Funeral services in Missouri are under the care of Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home, 13 North Maguire Street, Warrensburg, MO 64093. Funeral service will be at 11 am on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, followed by a graveside service at 12:30 pm at Oak Grove Community Church Cemetery, 129 NE 1150th Road in Higginsville, MO.