The Life of Mother Lucille Parker Cheek, 100

There will be a private viewing at the funeral parlor for the children their spouses and all grands Wednesday, March 10, 2021 from 3 to 6 O'Clock PM. You must wear a mask or facial covering to enter.

A public viewing will be on Thursday, March 11, 2021, from 12:00 High Noon to 6:00 PM at Evangelistic Church of Deliverance- Sanctuary, Sycamore Street, Weldon, NC. A facial mask or covering will be required to enter, due to COVID-19.

(THE FUNERAL WILL BE PRIVATE-FAMILY ONLY)

A private funeral will be Friday, March 12, 2021, Evangelistic Church of Deliverance-Santuary, 11:00 O'Clock In The Morning with Minister Charlie Clark delivering the eulogy. Again-a facial mask or covering will be required to enter, due to COVID-19.

Following the funeral a horse driven caison and hearse burial will be at Crestview Memorial Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids, NC.

Mother Lucille Parker Cheek, the Inaugural and Pioneering First Lady of the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance, peacefully departed this life and gained her wings on March 3, 2021, in her home in Tillery, NC surrounded by loved ones at the beautiful age of 100.

Mother Cheek, daughter of the late Will Parker and Mary Etta Francis Parker, was born December 25, 1920 in Bunn, NC (Franklin County). Growing up, she had two sisters: Vernell and Mary Lou and four brothers, Wallace, James, Willie and Leroy.

She grew up in the Tillery community where the Parker family were successful farmers who bought and owned their land under the President Roosevelt New Deal Resettlement Deal for farmers. This land is still owned by the Parker family to this very day. As a young girl, she was educated in the Rosenwald School for Blacks. In later years, she met and married the late Bishop William H. Cheek, Sr in 1947, before moving to Washington, DC. She held various jobs, however, her main job was wife and mother. Together they raised seven children: Diane (Donnie), William (Bill), Alvin (departed), Valerie (departed), Karl (Tony), Carol (Carlee), and Edgar (Butch). They spent 70 years in holy matrimony until he departed this earthly life in June 2017 in the serenity of their home.

Over 65 years ago, she accepted Christ as her Lord and personal Savior and never looked back. She was a member of New Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Washington, DC until she moved back to Eastern North Carolina, eventually, starting the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance (ECOD) with her late husband. She worked silently in the background helping her husband build the great foundation of ECOD. Never one for recognition, fame or titles wearing many hats in the ministry…… choir director, janitor, secretary, greeter, usher, cook, caretaker, seamstress, and any other role she had to fill. She made herself available for numerous all night shut-ins, prayer meetings, calls, house-calls, no matter the time of day.

Mother Cheek loved the Lord and lived a full life following Him. She had sharp wit and was a nurturer to all whom she come in contact. Nurturing came natural to her as she began mothering and cooking for her brothers and sisters at the age of six. The spirit of mothering continued for many others in her family and community and eventually as she became a mother to her own seven children as well as Mother to many at the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance. She was one that knew that she was called to be of service and not to be served.

She enjoyed many things outside of family and church. You would catch her any day listening and reading her bible, watching her favorite preachers or looking at The Price is Right, Jeopardy and Channel 11 news. When she was able to do it, she enjoyed working in her flower garden, driving the golf cart (because she never got her license), and cooking. You could always be fed when you came to her house no matter the time of day. She was always caring for kids whether it was her own kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, church members and surrounding community. She was loved by all who came in contact with her and will be remembered by many.

Treasured memories will remain in the love and legacy of her children:  Diane "Donnie" McMillan of Tillery, NC; William "Bill" Cheek, Jr. and wife Clementine of Roanoke Rapids, NC; Deacon Karl "Tony" Cheek, Sr. and wife Lois of Roanoke Rapids, NC; Carol Lee Handsome and husband Marvin of Roanoke Rapids, NC and Edgar "Butch" Cheek and wife Evelyn of Raleigh, NC; thirty-four grandchildren; twenty-four great grandchildren, fifteen great-great grandchildren, a brother; Pastor Leroy Parker of Waldorf, MD; sister-in-law; Martha Parker, brother-in-law; James Arthur Cheek and wife Lizzie of Landover, MD, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted sons, daughters, and grandchildren, friends, neighbors, caregivers:  Laura Walden, Gloria Clark, Vanessa Newell, Helen Robinson, Betty Jean Smith, Susie Pittman, Debbie Vaughn, Gail Pryor and the surrounding community, and dear members of the Evangelistic Church of Deliverance.

Mother Cheek rests in the comfort of Coleman-McGee Funeral Home & Staff..."Thoughtful Professional Service Within The Means of All...Because WE Care..."