When Ron Parker and June Duncan lost their mom, Frankie Parker, in January, their thoughts turned to what they could do as a memorial to her and to their dad, Steve, who died in February of 2003.

At about the same time, Hassie Green, director of the Lillian D. Green Nutrition Center in Troy, was looking for financial assistance in acquiring a much-needed TV for the center.

“I had wanted to offer the center participants more field trips such as going to the zoo, the Governor’s Mansion and to see the play ‘A Christmas Carol,’” Green said. “Those needs had been met and we were so thankful. But I also saw another need that was a daily need here at the center.”

The center has a Wii video game system that has become somewhat addictive for some of the participants.

“The participants use the Wii for exercise and to play all kinds of games and they play it so much that others couldn’t watch their shows,” Green said, laughing. “We really needed another television.”

Green expressed this need to a friend who passed it along to Parker and Duncan.

“We wanted to do something that would be a living memorial to our parents and this was a wonderful way to do so,” Duncan said.

Parker said it did not take much discussion to reach a decision.

“It was the right thing to do,” he said. “We knew that it would be a blessing to a lot of people.”

“It was a God thing,” Duncan said. “We were happy to do this in memory of our parents and for the participants at the Lillian Green Nutrition Center.”

Steve Parker was retired military and came to Troy University at the invitation of Dr. Ralph Adams. Frankie Parker was very active in their church, First Baptist of Troy, the local garden club, the New Century Club and was a ringleader in Banana Bingo at local nursing homes.

“This gift is a wonderful way for Steve and Frankie Parker to be remembered by the community they loved and that loved them,” Green said. “Not only did we get a television set. It’s a 42-inch flat screen television with surround sound and the folks here at the center are having a ball with it. I’m sure that it will be used every day that we are here and enjoyed every day that we are here. We thank Ron and June for their generosity.”

Duncan said the gift was given with love and also with hopes that others might see needs in the community and make living memorials that will benefit the community and make life better for others.