Dottie Parker, 80, Who Once Sang at the Grand Ole Opry, Dies

The following obituary is from Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home:

Dottie D. Parker, 80, passed from this life on August 30, 2014, from complications related to pneumonia. A resident of Deerfield, Illinois, Dottie had lived for the past three years at Brentwood North Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Riverwoods. She died in the presence of her beloved husband, Michael G. Parker, at Holy Family Hospital in Des, Plaines. She is survived by her husband Mike, sister Wilma Carney, four cousins, three nieces, and two nephews, all living in North Carolina. Dottie and Mike had no children.

Dottie was born to Grady and Grace Jolly on March 1, 1934, in Statesville, North Carolina. She graduated from Central High School in Statesville in 1995, and performed with her sister Wilma (Willie) as The Jolly Sisters. Together, they sang at various clubs, public events, and had numerous radio and television performances. Their crowning success was an appearance on the Grand Ole Opry.

When Willie left the duo to start a family, Dottie went on the road singing solo. During this time she met her future husband Mike, when she was contracted to sing with the traveling territory band for which he played trumpet. Dottie and Mike fell in love at first sight, and went on to share nearly 52 happy years of marriage.

Dottie and Mike continued their musical careers after moving to Chicago. Dottie sang at the Club Alabam on Rush Street, and Mike played at the Jazz Limited and the Gaslight Club before moving on to more “traditional” careers. Dottie became a typist and bookkeeper, beginning at Bankers Life and Casualty Co., and retiring from her new career at W. W. Grainger in 1991. She and Mike then moved to Deerfield, where they had lived ever since.

A visitation will be held on Monday, September 15th, from 10:00 am until the time of a memorial service to be held at 11:00 am at Northfield Community Church, 400 Wagner Road, Northfield, IL. A private inurnment will take place at St. Peter Cemetery in Northbrook, IL. For Funeral information, please call Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home at (847) 831-4260.