Ann Parker Emerson of Gainesville died March 28, 2024, at about 7:30 am. She was 98 years old. Her parents were the late Charles Dendy Parker and Gladys Chalker Parker of Brooksville. Mrs. Emerson, an eighth-generation Floridan, was descended from three pioneer families who settled in Florida in the 1700s. She moved to this area from Clearwater, Florida in 1961.
She received her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and her Master’s Degree from the University of Florida. She joined the University of Florida faculty as a dietetics educator in 1962 and taught there for 29 years.
She interned at Harper Hospital in Detroit, Michigan, was Assistant Research Dietitian at the University of Chicago Clinics, Chicago, Illinois, and held several positions at the University of Florida, including Administrative Research Dietitian (College of Medicine), Director of Dietetics Education (J. Hillis Miller Health Center), Dietetic Internship Director (University of Florida and Veterans Administration Hospital) and Director of Clinical and Community Dietetics Program (Bachelor’s Degree Program) in the College of Health Related Professions.
She was a Registered Dietitian and a member of the American Dietetic Association, the American Society of Allied Health Professions, and the American College of Nutrition. She served in a number of professional positions at the national level, including Journal Board of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, Chairman of the Dietetic Internship Council, Commission on Dietetic Registration and Commission on Accreditation. Honors included Phi Kappa Phi and Who’s Who in America.
She was president of the Gainesville Altrusa Club, a member of the Junior League of Gainesville, the University Women’s Club, the Gainesville Garden Club (Daylily Circle) and the Gainesville Country Club. She served as a docent for the Harn Museum of Art and the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Mrs. Emerson was preceded in death by her husband, Donald McGeachy Emerson; and one sister, Mary (Bebe) Campbell of Tampa. Survivors include one daughter, Mary Ann; three sons, Donald (Debbie), Charles, William (Martha); and one granddaughter, Amy.
She enjoyed gardening, growing camellias, needlepoint, travel, bridge and Gator football.
Arrangements are made by Williams-Thomas Funeral Home, Inc. and the burial will be in the Brooksville Cemetery in Brooksville, Florida.
There will be a private family gathering in honor and celebration of her life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Altrusa House of Gainesville, ET York Haven Hospice, or a charity of your choice. Please visit her memorial page at: www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com.
For further information contact Williams-Thomas Downtown at 352-376-7556.
Ann Parker Emerson
