Melville Gilmer Parker passed away on February 7 2023 at Oktibbeha County Regional Medical Center at the age of 88. Mel was born in Selma, Alabama on May 15, 1934 and was the oldest of four children born to Nannie Cynthia Gilmer and Robert Stewart Parker of Coatopa, Alabama.
Mel grew up in several locations in Arkansas and Texas as the Soil Conservation Service transferred his father. He graduated from high school in Pilot Point, Texas and attended junior college in Texas. He then joined the United States Air Force and served four years as an electronics technician working with B-29s at Castle Air Force Base in Fresno, California and Eielson Air Force Base Fairbanks, Alaska. The base in Fairbanks was located on the DEW LINE of bases during the Cold War and was a Strategic Air Command base. Mel returned to Texas after completion of his Air Force service and enrolled in North Texas State College (now University) located in Denton. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Education from North Texas. He then married Mary Lyons from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and they moved to Selma and began his teaching career with the Selma Public School system. He later taught in the Birmingham Public School System and directed a federally-funded project in the Tullahoma, Tennessee school system. He then moved to Auburn, Alabama and worked in the Educational Research Department while earning a PhD. in Educational Administration. After graduation Mel returned to Selma and served as the Dallas County Director of Industrial Education for the rest of his career. Mel also took care of his mother’s affairs and those of two aunts during this time.
Mel joined the Episcopal Church when he and Mary married and has remained there for the rest of his life. He served in various positions in the church in every town he lived in. In addition to his church work, he belonged to the Kiwanis Club in both Selma and Starkville. He and a fellow Kiwanian formed a second Kiwanis Club for the younger generation in Selma. He enjoyed reading for many years until his vision became impaired.
Mel was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Robbie Cynthia Parker Jones.
He is survived by his son, John Stewart Parker of Dallas, Texas and Salt Lake, Utah; and his wife, Fay Hutto Parker of Starkville. Survivors also include two brothers, William David Parker (Myra) of Plano, Texas and Marion Edward (Burma) of Alpharetta, Georgia. Additional survivors include several nieces and nephews and two first cousins.
Visitation will be held at 1:00 PM at the Church of the Resurrection with a memorial service at 2:00 PM on February 20, 2023 with internment in the church’s columbarium at the conclusion of this service.
The family wishes to convey their thanks to Dr. Steven Brandon, Dr. Emily Landrum, the staff at the Emergency Room and the ICU at OCH Regional Medical Center, Daryl and Rose Evans, and Debra Joel for their service in caring for Mel during his long illness.
Memorials may be made to the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection at 319 University Drive, Starkville, MS 39759, or to the organization of your choice.
