A00463 - Reflections on the Amherst College Black Alumni Memorial Service on November 6, 2025: The Legacy Address by Walter White, Class of 1976

 After The Time for Remembrance by Everett Jenkins, Class of 1975, came the Legacy Address by Walter White, Class of 1976.  The Legacy Address was added this year because in compiling the biographies of the Amherst College Black Alumni I came to note that certain families have had a significant legacy.  There are the Drew Gregorys


However, in trying to write a bio for Frederick Parker, Jr., Class of 1960, I was disappointed that there was not much information available.  Wayne Wormley, Class of 1972, offered to help in getting more information.  Wayne's efforts led to the post set forth below and the acknowledgement that the largest contingent of legacy Amherst attendees must be the descendants of Frederick Parker, Sr., Class of 1920. Please read the post set forth below and marvel at the legacy that Fred Parker, Sr. leaves.

Peace. 

Everett "Skip" Jenkins
Class of 1975
December 8, 2025
 
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Thanks to the efforts of Wayne Wormley, Amherst College Class of 1972, I received some additional information about Frederick Allen Parker, Jr. which corrects the information set forth below.  The information was sent by Walter White, Amherst College Class of 1976, and Adrienne White-Faines, Amherst College Class of 1982.  They are the nephew and niece of Frederick Allen Parker, Jr.

The clarification and correction received is as follows:

**************************

Fredrick Parker Jr., only son of 1920 Amherst  alum Frederick Parker, attended Amherst  briefly from fall of 1956 to spring or fall of 1957.  (He appears in the 1957 photo of the Amherst chapter of Kappa Theta Fraternity). He left Amherst and transferred to Purdue University back in his home state of Indiana, and graduated from Purdue in 1962. At Amherst and Purdue he was active in sports, and was known for his charming sense of humor. He became ill in summer of 1962 and died at the age of 22, in October 1962, from an aggressive form of cancer. He had accepted a job teaching high school math which was to begin in September of 62  and was engaged to be married  in November when he died. His family was devastated by the loss.

******************************


And the full list of the Amherst College and Five College connections for the Frederick Parker, Sr, Amherst College Class of 1920, is set forth below:

Our lineage as best as I can remember includes:

Frederick Parker Senior ‘20
Frederick Parker Jr.
Walter H. White, Jr.
Adrienne E. White-Faines
Dr. Larry Faines (Adrienne’s Husband)
Frederick Cliver
Alexandre White ‘10
Nick Neisser ‘14 (I think)..(Winifred’s Son).

Emlee of course is a Smith Grad,
Sasha’s Wife is a Mount Holyoke Grad)
Charles White (my younger brother is a Hampshire Grad)
To round out the 5 Colleges…


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Amherst College Black Alumni Memorial Service

November 6, 2025

7 – 9 p.m. ET on Zoom

Order of Service


Welcoming Remarks   Everett Jenkins ’75
Amherst Afro-American Society, Minister of Information 1972-1973; Amherst Afro-American Society, Chairman 1974


Musical Selection: My Tribute (To God Be the Glory) by Wintley Phipps 


Introductions


The Libation Ceremony       Junius Williams ’65, H’24
National Bar Association President 1978-1979; Amherst College Honorary Degree 2024


A Time for Remembrance       Everett Jenkins ’75

Honoring Those Who Have Joined the List of Ancestors Since the Last Reading of the Names


The Legacy Address          Walter White ’76

Grandson of Frederick Allen Parker, Sr. 1920, H’73; Nephew of Frederick Allen Parker, Jr. ’60; Brother of Adrienne White Faines ’82; Brother-in-Law of Larry Faines ’82; Cousin of Frederick Cliver ’86; Father of Alexandre White ’10; and Uncle of Nicholas Neisser ’14


Musical Selection: Precious Lord by Ellis Moss ’79


A Prayer by Gregory Domingue ’72 


A Reading of the Memorial List


A Memorial Message       Dr. Cuthbert “Tuffy” Simpkins ’69
Author of a biography on John Coltrane; Founder, President and Chief Innovation Officer of Vivacelle Bio; and the first Chairman of the Amherst Afro-American Society (1968)




Musical Selection: People Get Ready by Ellis Moss ’79


Amherst College Black Alumni Memorial Service, Continued


A Special Remembrance               Everett Jenkins ’75
Honoring Carol Holt Miller (’75 Mount Holyoke College) and Nancy Holt Miller


Musical Selection: My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion


Concluding Scripture: Matthew 5:1-16     Antonio Jackson ’78E, F’76

Attorney and Community Planner; Master of City Planning from UPenn; Juris Doctor from University of Richmond; Amherst College Wade Fellow 2000






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