Passing of the Torch
By Kimmie Tubré
Unless you lived under a rock in 2019, you remember the way many families mourned when Fred Parker faced a significant decline in health. Known to many as "Chocolate Santa" and also "Seventh Ward Santa," his ailment halted him from being able to spread his usual holiday cheer to the children who eagerly awaited him.
This news left a gap in the season's traditions. Yet, hope remained that someone would step in to fill Parker's iconic boots, ensuring the continuation of a cherished holiday role in New Orleans. Enter Theron Murphy, who had long admired Parker's work and maintained a respectful relationship with the veteran Santa.
Murphy, aware of Parker's importance in the community, approached him, seeking his blessing to temporarily take over as Chocolate Santa. Having begun his Santa appearances around 2017, Murphy was no stranger to the role, but he didn't want to overstep any boundaries. His conversation with Parker was driven by a deep respect for the man who had become a legend in the city. For Murphy, Parker would always remain the original.
When Parker passed away, Murphy felt a profound sense of duty to carry on the Chocolate Santa legacy, a symbolic passing of the torch that would allow Murphy to honor Parker's memory while serving the community in his own way.
Theron Murphy, as Chocolate Santa, is a continuation of this proud tradition. By stepping into the role with Parker's blessing and continuing the legacy of the Seventh Ward Santa, Murphy is preserving the spirit of giving. In Murphy, the torch of Chocolate Santa burns bright, keeping alive a tradition that transcends generations and speaks to the heart of New Orleans' soul.
Christmas Just Ain't Christmas Without Fred Parker
by Janay Major
On September 4, 2024, Where Y'at sat down with a woman by the name of Linitta Williams for a Zoom interview. Linitta is a New Orleans native; however, her name may not be familiar to you.
What is familiar and well known around New Orleans are the communal legacies her parents left behind. Her mother, Peacola Parker, was a public school teacher for over 40 years, and her father, Fred Parker, was known as the beloved "Chocolate Santa" or "7th Ward Santa." The interview was memory filled and heartfelt as she described her childhood and what life was like being raised by charitable parents. Since the passing of both of her parents, Linitta continues their legacy by participating in charitable organizations and giving back to her community. She shared cherished memories of her parents and told of some interesting things about Mr. Fred Parker.
Where Y'at (WYA): [Being a New Orleans native] I had the honor and privilege to take pictures with your father, as did my mother, as did my grandmother, and a few other family members. So he is definitely a pinnacle person in New Orleans culture. 7th Ward Santa was such a prominent figure in New Orleans with the few moments we had with him in front of the camera. What was your experience like with him in your everyday life?
Linitta Williams (LW): Oh! Wow! [laughs] He was a very happy, jolly man. He loved people and children as well. He especially loved helping people. He never met a stranger at all. So growing up with him was wonderful. There's so many things I can say about Daddy. I love that I was able to witness his love for people and his passion. It is something that has rubbed off on me—his giving and service to others. That was him everyday.
WYA: Can you describe what Christmas was like in your household during your childhood?
LW: Christmas in my household was just all things festive, from the decorations to the smells. I loved baking. I would bake with my mom. We had decorations everywhere, inside and outside. [Christmas] wasn't [a] fairytale, per se. If you would watch Hallmark, and it was [Christmas] everywhere. It wasn't like that, but it was the feeling of family, love, and spirit of togetherness.
WYA: What is your most fond memory of your father?
LW: His laughter and his singing. Most people didn't know, but Daddy liked to sing. He would call me and sing to me. [tears up] I miss him—sorry. I do. That was my most fondest memory. He loved to sing. Yeah.
WYA: What I find most rewarding about people who made such a positive impact on people's lives is that not only are you able to have and keep these memories of this person, but also the fact that there are other people who have experienced even a little piece of them. And knowing that they have inspired people and their legacy will continue to live on in other people's memories [is rewarding]. What is the one unorthodox fact that the people of New Orleans do not know about your dad?
LW: He loved Banana Laffy Taffys.
WYA: What? Banana flavored anything is horrid.
LW: [Laughs] He loved those Banana Laffy Taffys. When he passed away, we went to Mississippi to go view the body at the funeral home. We stopped at Walmart [before going], and while I was in checkout, I turned, there was a candy bar sized Banana Laffy Taffy. I had to buy it. I had the funeral director tuck the Laffy Taffy in his pocket. So he went on to glory with his Laffy Taffy.
