Diane Parmer

Diane Parmer, nicknamed “Nooney”, was born in Clayton, Alabama.  She was baptized at Mt Moriah Baptist Church having accepted Christ our Lord at an early age.

In 1966, Waymon and Cora Lee Parmer moved their family of thirteen children from Clayton, Alabama, to Akron, Ohio’s, Orlando Court.  Diane was enrolled in Howe Elementary School. The Parmer family became dutiful members ofJerusalem Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Reverend Hubert Powell.  At that time, Diane was a member of Jerusalem’s Junior choir.  In 1968, the Parmer’srelocated and established residence at 1005 Lane Street.  Diane attended the neighborhood’s Lane Elementary School, Thornton Jr. High, and graduated from South High School in June 1976.  Lane Street remains infamous for the family bond shared by all the residents growing up in the surrounding Wooster, Snyder, Moeller Streets and beyond. 

Diane soon outgrew being “Nooney” and was eventuallynicknamed “Dottie” or “Lady Di”. Diane loved the Lord, she was wise with common sense, funny, honest, outspoken, direct but never mean spirited. Diane loved to be surrounded by people and people loved to be around Diane. To know her was to love her evidenced by the number in attendance here today.

Diane lived modestly but managed her finances well.  Being a full-time homemaker and single mother with two sons during her early adult life, she designed her own diversified portfoliowhen it came to supplementing her meager income by selling waters and pops on ice during summer events at the “Sand Pile”and “The Pool” from the back of her pickup truck.  At home, she’d have her infamous Salmon and Rice breakfasts. She hosted regular card parties at her home, backyard barbeques, not to mention her New Year’s breakfasts and raising money to finance and host a number of Halloween parties back in the day at the former Goodyear Local. Throughout the years, she unselfishly opened her home to a number of persons needing compassion, temporary shelter, transporting and assisting them any way she could to help them get back on their feet.  A self-made entrepreneur, we would be remiss not to mention she did work outside the home once for Chi-Chi’s restaurant. Diane enjoyed participating in water aerobics at the Balch Street Fitness Center and YMCA in Green, Ohio, until her decline in health prevented her from participating.

Once her brother, Bishop Charles Parmer, founded True Deliverance Missionary Baptist Church, Diane served faithfully in multiple roles such as in the Senior Choir, Trustee’s bookkeeper, Usher board, and Nurses Guild. Diane coordinated Gospel concerts, fashion shows, and a fundraiser for the youth famously called “Kids Got Talent”.

Diane was preceded in death by her beloved parents Waymon Sr. and Cora Lee Parmer; Brothers: Daniel Parmer, WaymonParmer Jr., and Willie Parmer.  Sisters: Emmaline Wilborn and Cora Alice Parmer.  Diane is survived by her two loving sons, Mar‘Ques Parmer Sr (Alethea) and Brandon Parmer (Lemellia). Four grandchildren: Mar’Ques Parmer Jr., Jordan Parmer, Da’veonnah Parmer, and Ti’yannah Campbell; Five great-grandchildren: Malaysia Parmer, Miley Parmer, Dameon Jefferson, Jordan Parmer Jr., all of whom were deeply cherished.  Sisters: Mary A Buckley, and Dorothy Parmer; Brothers:Bishop Charles J Parmer (Debra), Oscar Parmer, William C Parmer (Carol); Fredrick Parmer, and Dennis Parmer (Patricia).Special Cousins: Marsha Brown (Keith); Ray Jackson and Beverly Jackson, Linita Collins (Louis). and a host of beloved Aunts, Uncles, nieces, nephews. family, friends, too numerous to name but loved just as much. Other Son from Another Mother, Shevan Johnson; Lifetime Ride or Die Friends:  Karen Johnson, Ricka Laramore, Terri Smith, Helen Taylor, Sharon Powell, Karen Taylor, Mona Hamilton, and Norma Oliver.

Visitation will be 12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM, Friday, December 22, 2023 at Jerusalem Baptist Church (1225 Vernon Odom Blvd.), where funeral services will immediately follow at 1:00 PM.  Arrangements entrusted to Adams Mason Funeral Home (330) 535-9186