Arita Hoffman Parker

Arita Parker, 91, of Copeland, Florida, passed peacefully in the presence of family members on September 4, 2025, at Avow Hospice in Naples, Florida. 
Born August 13, 1934, in her family home in Everglades City, Arita was a lifelong Floridian devoted to her family, church, and community. She was a proud graduate of Everglades City High School, Class of 1952 Valedictorian, and varsity member of the Everglades City High School Basketball Team. She began her professional career at the Everglades City Bank shortly after graduation. Over the decades, she advanced in banking, serving as Bookkeeping Department Manager at Lehigh Acres Community Bank, and later as a Southwest Florida Regional Manager in charge of bookkeeping operations for SunTrust Banks. 

Arita was devoted to her beloved husband, Kenneth Parker of Jerome, Florida, who passed away in 1991, and she did not remarry. She is survived by two sons - Ronald Parker of Copeland, Florida, and Bruce Parker of Richmond, Virginia - and six cherished grandchildren: Hiedi, Melissa, Dana, Paige, Jessica, and Miranda. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse Ivan Hoffman and Alberta Bryant Hoffman of Everglades City, Florida. 
Deeply committed to service, Arita faithfully served as treasurer of Copeland Baptist Church, the Copeland Water Cooperative, and the Everglades Lions Club. She was invited to render historic presentations at the Everglades Museum on occasion throughout the years and captivated the audience with her accounts of Everglades City history. Her dedication to stewardship and her steadfast faith inspired all who knew her. 
A memorial service to celebrate Arita’s remarkable life will be announced at a later date. The family requests that memorial donations be directed in her honor to the Everglades Lions Club (P.O. Box 189, Everglades City, FL 34139), Copeland Baptist Church (P.O. Box 457, Copeland, FL 34137), or the Everglades Society for Historic Preservation (P.O. Box 46, Everglades City, FL 34139). 
Arita’s legacy of love, integrity, and community service will live on in the many lives she touched. 

October 2, 2025 Mullet Rapper