Moretha Foster Parker is an African American woman and small business entrepreneur working in property management and community outreach services. She moved from Mississippi around 1949 and has been serving Oakland and Berkeley since the early 1960s. She worked as a teacher’s assistant for many years at Oakland Technical High School, while her husband, Marzine Lee Parker Sr., worked as a forklift driver for Colgate-Palmolive.
They were both born in Columbia, Mississippi and met at a summer camp when they were young adults. Moretha married her husband in 1954 after graduating from Oakland Technical High School.
It was very hard for African Americans to get loans and purchase homes at that time; however, Colgate took very good care of its employees. Moretha and Marzine were blessed and purchased their home in 1957 on 61st Street, when their oldest son, Jr., was only two years old.
Moretha’s mother, Bernice, had purchased a home in Rockridge five years earlier with her second husband, Casper Fountain, when they moved from West Oakland. This helped provide stability for Moretha, Marzine, and their oldest son when they moved to Rockridge.
The couple had upgraded from a small one-bedroom basement apartment that they shared with her Aunt Rose Odom and Uncle Jimmy Odom. Marzine and Moretha showed the world what hard work and prayer could do for a young African American couple. They were extremely thankful and worked very hard within Rockridge and throughout their extended community.
They paid a little over $11,000 for a three-bedroom, one-bath home in 1957 (the same home would currently sell for close to $1.8 million in 2026), where they raised three beautiful children: Marzine Parker Jr., Keith Parker, and Melissa Parker. It is also where they have enjoyed their grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, cousins, and many extended friends and family members. The couple stayed together for more than 71 years.
In the 1950s, they joined Taylor Memorial United Methodist Church, where they enjoyed fellowship and community outreach. Moretha and Melissa Parker are still active members today, participating in programs and outreach efforts — feeding the homeless and providing scholarships to young students seeking education to eliminate economic disparities.
In addition, Moretha and Melissa attend St. Columba Catholic Church. “We believe all religions work together for a better world and in always caring for humans; we are not machines,” says Melissa.
In the 1960s, Moretha Parker and Marzine were encouraged to invest in another real estate property to help secure their children’s future. They listened, and obtained another loan to purchase a property in the same area, across the street from their original home on 61st Street (for approximately $15,000). However, Marzine was making about $100 per week, and Moretha worked part-time, so their garden became an important supplemental food source as they struggled to make their mortgage payments.
After purchasing the property, Moretha and Marzine became landlords. As Moretha would say, “They are my extended family, and I would like to treat them the same way I would like to be treated.” They learned to work with people of all cultures and races while serving as landlords.
Moretha encouraged young students pursuing careers in law, medicine, ministry, teaching, nursing, and many other professions. She trained Melissa and Jr. to run the property management business and provide safe and habitable housing. Melissa now works with all types of clients and still uses the same motto as Moretha: “Treat people the way you would like to be treated.”
Melissa continues to do well in the business and is bouncing back post-pandemic. There are many resources in Alameda County to help clients pay for leased housing, including calling 211 for assistance with financial housing needs and contacting BACS programs and Catholic Charities.
As we celebrate the virtuous woman, Moretha Parker, on her 90th birthday, we thank her for sharing her time and talents with others. From the rich soils of Columbia, Mississippi, in 1950 to the rich soil of her own garden in Oakland, Moretha has learned to plant, nurture, and share life and growth with others.
She has planted many seeds of hope, encouragement, and love. Moretha and Marzine will always be known for Colby Garden and for sharing collard greens, where all are welcome.
Join us in celebrating Moretha Foster Parker — Happy 90th Birthday!
