Jo Ann (Freeman) Parker

Jo Ann Parker Obituary

Jo Ann Freeman Parker, 84, of Asheville, passed away Thursday, January 29, 2026, at Mission Hospital.

Born in Spartanburg, she was the daughter of the late Rev. Boyce Edward Freeman and Mary Arkansas-Walker Freeman. She was a graduate of Landrum High School and an alumna of Cecil’s Business College and McDowell Technical Community College. She later served as a professor and retired from McDowell Technical Community College. She was a faithful member of Parker’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rev. Carl Edward Parker, and her brothers, Bobby Levister and Billy Levister.

She is survived by her children: Carl Edward Parker II and his spouse, Tamara Taylor Parker, of Asheville; Carla Jo Parker-Buff of Marion; and Jennifer Parker Foster and her spouse, Brian Foster, also of Marion.

She is also survived by her sister, Patsy Freeman Parks and her spouse, Bill Parks, of Nebo; her grandchildren, Logan Guffey, Alliah Foster, Marianne Foster, Jaden Foster, Caleb Buff, Samantha Buff, Kinsey Parker, and Kayla Parker; her great-grandchild, Freya Buff; her nieces, Robin Chrisawn of Nebo and Sherry Pendley of Morganton; and her nephews, Wayne Levister and Tony Levister of Landrum.

A memorial service will be held at 10:45 a.m. on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Parker’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Marion, NC, with Rev. Victor Worley and Carl Edward Parker II officiating. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m., prior to the service.

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