Yvonne Cecile Kilgore was born in Manhattan, New York to Reverend William T. Kilgore and Thelma Ann Roberts. The family moved to Ohio where Yvonne attended East High School. In 1958, she met and married Allen K. Parker and three children from this union were born, Terri Parker, Elder, Alan K. Parker, and Carol Parker.

In 1968, Yvonne began her career as a telephone operator with Aim Jobs. A non-profit organization that assisted disadvantaged adults with developing skills that will allow them to be active members of the workforce. This position led to a successful career as a Telecommunications Specialist with Standard Oil of Ohio.

In 1993, while working full time with BP of America Yvonne received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing from Dyke College where she graduated Sum Cum laude. During her tenure with BP America, she served as the Supervisor of Voice/Data Communications.

Yvonne’s success with BP America led to a manager’s position with the Cleveland Clinic Hospital System. While working for Cleveland Clinic, Yvonne also served as President of the Ohio Chapter of Telephone Operators. In 2012, Yvonne retired from Cleveland Clinic.

Yvonne was also an active member of her community. She was a member of the NAACP, and The Urban League of Cleveland.

Yvonne’s faith, education, and leadership skills led to multiple accomplishments. In 1978, Yvonne was the Woman of the Year Explorer Twelve Club at Zion Chapel Baptist church for outstanding performance. Yvonne successes include a Certificate of Merit from the World’s Who’s Who of Women. The 1994/1995 12^th edition. Yvonne was the host of Seniors Today, a talk radio show that aired on WERE talk radio.

Yvonne’s hobbies included crocheting, playing solitaire on the computer, word puzzles, and reading. Yvonne had over 1,000 books in her library.

Yvonne’s children Terri, Alan, and Carol meant the world to her. Not only was she a mother, she was a grandmother, even a great grandmother. Her grandchildren include Rashid Parker, Charise Parker, and Diamond Johnson. Yvonne has a great granddaughter Tonii Parker Hutchins and other great grandchildren.

On December 20, 2025, at the age of eighty-six years old, the sunset on our beloved mother at Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights, Ohio. Yvonne’s children, Terri Parker, Alan Parker, and Carol Parker, survive her. Her brother K. Machumu Bandele, John F. Kilgore and stepsister, Fabiene Butler.