Cecelia Elizabeth Parker known to most as "Tillie" departed this earthly life on November 19, 2008, her 79th birthday. She was born on November 19, 1929 in Hollywood, Maryland to the proud parents, James Albert and Cecelia Maria (Stevens) Butler.

Cecelia was the youngest of eleven children and is survived by two sisters, Marie Barnes and Annie Pauline Fitzgerald.

Tillie was predeceased by her other nine siblings, Hortense, Gladys, John, James Albert, Priscilla, Phillip Leroy, Joseph Roy, Mary and her parents.

Tillie was educated in St. Mary's County schools. She attended the Phyllis Wheatley, Oaksville Elementary and St. Joseph's Schools. In 1953, Tillie married William Dews of Virginia and out of that union Tillie bore her first child, Rose Mary Dews.

Tillie later married Thomas Bernard Parker "Tom" of St. Mary's County and three children, Portia, Thomas Jr., and Cecelia Maria were born of that union. On March 16, 1999, Tom preceded Tillie in death. Tillie was devoted to her family and spent a number of years working in the home taking care of her children and grandchildren. Even when she worked outside of the home, Tillie served others by cooking, cleaning and caring for the elderly and worked at several places throughout St. Mary's County.

Tillie loved having fun and tried to make the most of her days here on Earth. Tillie also really enjoyed entertaining and welcoming others into her home. If she knew someone was in need, she did what she could to help. Among her favorite pastimes were listening to music, dancing, dressing up, giving parties, playing cards and watching television.

Those left to cherish the life and legacy of Cecelia Elizabeth Parker include her four children, one son-in-law, Jeffrey Miller, one daughter-in-law, Rosetta Parker, ten grandchildren, Terrah A. Dews, Shelita Battle, Alicia Battle, Clinton Robinson, Jr., Glenn Battle Jr., Quentin Deante Robinson, Stephanie Parker, Dominique Cornelius Parker, Jeffrey Parker, Christina Parker, two great grandchildren, Rakiah Battle and Nia Tapp and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and lifelong friends.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, November 23, 2008 from 2:00-5:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD where prayers will be said at 3:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, November 24, 2008 at 10:00 AM in Holy Angels Catholic Church with Fr. William Gurnee officiating. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Bushwood, MD.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.