Dr. Parler was born in Gaffney, SC on January 16, 1915. She received her A.B. degree from Claflin College in 1936, an M.A. (English) from Columbia University in 1944, and a Ph.D. (English) from New York University in 1952. She taught English at Granard High School (Gaffney, SC) from 1936-1939 and was a teacher in elementary schools in Orangeburg, SC from 1939 to 1943. In 1944 she began her long career at South Carolina State University, as an Associate Professor of English, Professor of English, Head of the English Department, and Chair of the Communications Center. She retired from SC State University in 1979. She was active in many state, regional, and national professional associations during her career. She was general editor of the three volume Humanities: Life Styles and Human Values and author many literary articles and handbooks. Dr. Parler was one of the original board members of the SC Committee for Humanities and served for many years. She was an active member of the Sunlight Club in Orangeburg, SC, a local community organization that featured a private, free library for the community. She is listed in frequently in Who’s Who in the South and Southwest. Dr. Parler died Nov. 7, 1991. (Pictures compliments of South Carolina State University)