She earned a doctorate in organic chemistry in 1935 and worked in the oil industry as a specialist on the causes and prevention of corrosion of pipelines.
Born on September 11, 1907, in Quay County, New Mexico, Parker was educated at West Texas State Teachers College, where she won the Garvan Essay prize of $500 in her sophomore year.
[2][3] Following her work as an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor from 1934 to 1935, Parker was employed by Shell Oil Company as an analytical chemist from 1936 to 1943, and held the position of senior research chemist for the J.S.
[3] Parker used her knowledge of chemistry to contribute to the development of pipeline technology as it evolved and expanded post-World War II.
She published numerous papers on the issue of pipeline corrosion, and made innovations in both water- and oil-soluble inhibitors.