Faye Aiken Parker was born to Alvis and Catherine Aiken on May 3rd, 1946, in Bahama, NC--a little town just outside of Durham. She was the oldest of three siblings, and the only daughter. Her brother, Don, is two years younger, and her youngest brother, Jerry, is six years her junior. One thing Faye had plenty of, as she grew up, were aunts and uncles. Her mother had been the twelfth child of thirteen surviving children. On her father's side of the family, she had a rich musical heritage. Both her grandfather, Joseph Aiken, and his brother, Ronnie Aiken, were musicians, and their recordings are now preserved in the folk culture archive in the Library of Congress. Faye would inherit some of that musical gift herself, and would pass it down to her son, Clayton.

The Aiken family lived on a farm and, as most farm families do, worked very hard every day. While growing up, Faye learned many down-home values, as well as a strong sense of ethics that would carry her through difficult times in her life and, later, provide inspiration for her family. She learned to be strong. One former classmate, who graduated from Northern High School in the same year as Faye, described her as "the kind of person who was quiet until you got to know her . . . then she was extraordinary."

Faye wanted to be a singer. It was during her ten year career performing that she met Clay's biological father, Vernon Grissom. They were both in a group called Rustic Spirits--she sang, and he played guitar. When Clay was born, Faye gave up that career to take care of her baby boy--she would now sing to him.

Sometimes relationships don't work out. When Clay was one, she and Vernon divorced. While it was very difficult to raise a child alone, with the support of friends and family, Faye found the strength to create a new life for herself and her son. She found employment as an interior design consultant for Sears, where, ironically, Clay got some of his first experience performing. He would sometimes accompany her to work where, so the family story goes, little Clay would stand on the carpet remnants, and people would pay him a dollar to sing. It was while working at Sears that Faye met Ray Parker. Eventually, they married, and Ray became the man that Clay called "father."

About a year after their marriage, on December 19, 1985, Faye's second son, Brett Parker, was born. Faye was the source of wisdom and comfort for her family. In his book, Learning to Sing , Clay remembered the many small homilies and words of wisdom she used to guide her children, and the never-ending faith she had in her sons. He remembered her humor and her strength, and those principles of faith and integrity that she instilled into her young family.

On July 4, 2002, when her youngest son was 16, Ray Parker passed away. In addition to the emotional hardships of widowhood, Faye was now, once again, faced with the difficulties of being a single parent. It was shortly after Ray's death that Clay auditioned for American Idol. The rest, as they say, is history. Clay's professional and financial success proved to be a turning point for the family.

Faye continues to be a successful interior design consultant. Her business, Parker Exclusives, specializes in custom window treatments, upholstery, blinds, pleated shades, and bed coverings. She has taken the opportunities presented by the notoriety of being known as "Clay's mom" to do such things as judge beauty pageants, serve as Grand Marshall for the Bahama Christmas Parade, and participate in Whiteville, North Carolina's Annual Pecan Festival. She is very active in the community.

Faye's life has changed since Clay stepped into the limelight . Brett is now serving in the Marines. Clay's star continues to rise. She has been presented with many recent opportunities to expand her own involvements and activities. Through it all, she remains the source of strength, comfort, and humor for her family. She continues to be Clay's first hero.

"My mother laid the foundation, showing me in word and deed what it means to be decent. She overcame every burden life presented her, and she did so with grace.”

Clay Aiken, Learning to Sing

"My mother's the person that's been there since the beginning. She has always been the parent that was supportive, yet she never pushed me. Some parents get overly excited with their kids and take it too far till it's not fun anymore. My mother always helped me out but never pushed me."

Clay Aiken, InTune Magazine