Angela Parker Thomas

On Monday, February 21, 2022, the Lord called Angela Yvette Parker Thomas home. Angie, as she was affectionately known, was born on September 23, 1970, the second child of Phillip and Maxine Parker. She was “Daddy’s girl” and had a close relationship with her father who preceded her in death. Angie was nurtured in a Christian home and introduced to the church at an early age. Angela’s early Christian life began at Epworth United Methodist Church, where she accepted Christ. Angie and her older sister Lisa were very close and spent their childhood in Woodlawn surrounded by many neighborhood friends. In the summers they spent time with their father’s family in Birmingham and Atlanta. Angela graduated from Mercy High School, Class of 1988. Like many women in her family, she pursued a career in education. She attended an esteemed HBCU, then Coppin State College, now Coppin State University, and received a BA in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Special Education. Angela worked as an educator in the Baltimore City Public School System for 25 years holding dual certification in general and special education. She began teaching at Harlem Park Elementary/ Middle School, and worked at a number of schools during her career. She was last at Hilton Elementary/Middle School where she was a special education teacher. Angie mentored new teachers and touched the lives of many young people. She was known to be an excellent teacher who was firm but fair. She was committed to their learning and thriving and her students knew it. Angela was multi-talented and had a love of the arts from a young age. As a child, she directed basement productions of “Annie” with her cousin and neighborhood friends. She tried her hand at singing, writing poetry and songs, and even rapping. In the early 90s Angela won talent contests rapping as “MC Divine” and belonged to the singing group “No Limit.” During her years as an educator with Baltimore City, she established drama clubs for students and directed plays for her class including “Annie” and “The Wiz.” The students who participated were enriched and their parents and others who saw it were truly entertained. In 2014, Angela wrote, produced and directed the play, “Picture Perfect”. The actors were friends and community participants who had a similar interest in theater. The play was presented to and enjoyed by a sizeable audience. At the time of her passing, she was mounting another play for production and was in rehearsals. Angela had a reserved personality and has been described by friends as a “quiet storm.” While she often presented as quiet, or even shy, those who knew her well were accustomed to her honest and direct opinions, advice and encouragement, which she would communicate gently or fervently, as necessary. Angela had been married to Shawn Thomas and nurtured his children Shawn and Taniyah. Angie had a big heart and was generous and supportive to family, and her large circle of sister-friends, colleagues and friends. Consistent with her giving spirit, Angela was an organ donor. Her final gifts saved four lives and impacted many families and future generations. Angela leaves to cherish her memory her mother, Maxine, sister Lisa, brother-in-law Ali, much loved nephew Marcus, aunts Sylvia and Kay, uncle Rudolph, great aunt June, a special friend Anthony Brooks, and many relatives and friends.

Tributes

Angela Parker Thomas

September 23, 1970 - February 21, 2022