Mrs. Joan Loretta Parsons Silver, 81, departed this life, took the angels’ hands, received her wings and took flight to her heavenly home Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, surrounded by family. She was a lifelong resident of the area.
Joan was born May 2, 1937, in Warwick County (Newport News) to the late Eastwick W. and Harriett L. Parsons. She was the youngest of nine children.
She attended Newsome Park Elementary School and graduated from Carver High School in 1954. She furthered her education by attending Norfolk State University where she received an associate degree in Music and a B.S degree in Education.
On March 10, 1956, Joan married her high school sweetheart, Coefield Silver (deceased 2015). To their union were born a daughter, Dr. Paula Denise Silver; and son, Wayne Coefield Silver. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Silver believed their children were always their biggest investment. They instilled in their children that family is the biggest asset, because family will always be there for you.
Mrs. Silver was a retired teacher of the Hampton City Public Schools and was selected as the first African American teacher to integrate Robert E. Lee Elementary School in Hampton in the 1960’s. Prior to teaching at Robert E. Lee Elementary, Mrs. Silver taught at Greenbrier Elementary School in Hampton.
Joan was a lifelong member of Second Baptist Church East End, where she was a member of many ministries and served as organist for over 30 years. Mrs. Silver became a deaconess at the age of 26, as her late husband, Coefield (deceased) was made a deacon at age 27. They were and still remain the youngest deacon and deaconess in the history of the church. Mrs. Silver was made Mother of the Church in 2017. She said, “God had blessed her through many illnesses to see that special day.”
In addition to being active in her church until her illness prevented her from doing so, Joan was a member of the Hampton Retired Teachers Association, life member of the Virginia Educators Association, National Educators Association, The Victoria Place Civic Association, The Fun Tours Group Leaders, The Hampton Healthy Family Partnership (Board Member), and former member of Jack and Jill Inc.
Joan’s special passion was cooking, and that she could do very well. There are not many people that have attended church events, visited her home, or had family problems that she would not provide a meal or other assistance.
Wherever, Joan went to stores, restaurants, even the hospital as a patient, she impacted people in a positive way. Her sweet, soft- spoken spirit would always illustrate her walk with God at all times.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, the late Coefield Silver; as well as her parents, Eastwick W. and Harriett L. Parsons, and seven of her eight siblings, Lorenzo Parsons, Daniel Parsons, Alexander Parsons, Vincent Parsons, Eloise Parsons, Bonnavetta P. Greene and La Pearl Parsons.
Mrs. Silver is survived by her daughter, Dr. Paula D. Silver of Hampton; son, Wayne C. Silver of Chesapeake; granddaughter, Olivia N. Silver, and her mother, Olive M. Silver, of Virginia Beach; surviving sister, Elaine P. Campbell, of Hampton; sister-in-law, Marine S. Simmons of Lakewood, Washington; and a host of many nieces, nephews, family and friends.
A viewing will be held from noon to 5 p.m., with wake services held from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, at Cooke Brothers Funeral Home, 1601 27th St., Newport News. Funeral services will be held at noon, Saturday, Jan. 5, at Second Baptist Church East End, 3307 Chestnut Ave., Newport News.
Share online condolences with the family at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel & Crematory.
