- June 21, 2025
Charon, a long-time resident of Palm Coast, Florida, passed away peacefully in her home on May 27, 2025, at age 86, just shy of her 87th birthday. She had also lived in Wilton, Connecticut; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Winter Springs, Florida.
Charon was the daughter of the late Clarice and Raymond Crabtree. She left behind her sister, Clare Bailey; and brother-in-law, Donald. She was preceded by her brother, Raymond Crabtree, Jr. Charon grew up in Jacksonville, Florida, where her father, a prominent builder, named a street after her. After a short stint at Brenau University in Georgia, she transferred to the University of Florida, joining her family’s generational Florida Gators tradition. There, she was a loyal member of the Tri Delta sorority and continued to support the organization throughout her life.
Charon earned a degree in speech pathology and pursued a career in treating children with speech disorders. After raising her family, she returned to the profession, going back to college to earn her master’s degree. During her retirement, she traveled extensively. An accomplished bridge player, Charon was also passionate about family, pets, cooking, music and books—loves that she passed on to her children. She adored the beach and the ocean, proud to be a Floridian who, as she would say, “was born with sand in my shoes.” She always went out of her way to make people feel comfortable and loved. And everyone who has known her says she had a wonderful sense of humor. She retained it to her last breath.
A cherished mother who provided bottomless love, Charon is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Parker; her son, Ward Parker; and his wife, Martha Parker. Charon was preceded by her beloved husband, W. Cary Parker.
An informal remembrance will be held at the Clymer Funeral Home in Palm Coast, Florida, on Saturday, June 21st, at 11:00 a.m. Per her request, her ashes will be scattered in the Atlantic Ocean to celebrate her love of the sea.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Flagler Humane Society or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
The family of Mrs. Parker entrusted her arrangements to Clymer Funeral Home & Cremations.
