Ernest Wayne Parker, 85, passed away peacefully on Monday, June 30th at the Baptist Nursing Home in Calhoun City. He was born in Calhoun City to Earnest and Lizzie Parker on July 20th, 1939. He was a 1957 graduate of Derma High School. Shortly following graduation, he moved to the Chicago area to find employment.
Early on, he worked as a welder for Caterpillar and Equipto and as a paint shader at River Valley Coatings in Aurora, IL. Later he would become plant manager for the paint company, working his way up to actually becoming a stockholder in the company. In 1959, he met Barbara Ann Puckett, who had moved from Monette, Arkansas to Aurora to also find employment. They were married on June 25th, 1960.
On January 14th, 1967, they welcomed their only daughter, Kimberly Ann. He was a very dedicated member of Calvary Baptist Church in Moecherville, IL and then at Lynwood Baptist Church in Oswego, IL. He was the song leader at Lynwood for almost 40 years. He loved to sing, loved to be a part of his church family and loved his wife and daughter immensely.
In 2002, he retired from River Valley Coatings after nearly three decades and he and his wife moved back to Calhoun City. They quickly found a church home at Derma Baptist Church and he was a faithful member for many years.
He was an avid horseman, owning horses throughout his childhood and teen years all the way through adulthood. As a teenager, he worked as a rodeo clown with his horse, Diamond, at local county fairs and rodeos. He participated in many trail rides in Calhoun County and once even brought his horse April to Vacation Bible School at Derma Baptist Church. He and April enjoyed fourteen years of trail rides until he finally hung up his spurs at the age of seventy-five. His life was centered around faith, family and friends. He loved his extended family, which included six siblings, twenty-one nieces and nephews and a host of great-nieces and nephews.
He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Barbara Parker of Calhoun City; his daughter Kim Gregory of Bruce; his sister Sue Langford of Calhoun City; special sister-in-law, Linda Puckett Cobb, Demoines, IA and his special cousin, Billy (Wanda) Parker of Calhoun City.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Lizzie Parker; brothers James Parker, Howell Parker, Charlie Parker and Robert Parker, his sister Lounez Long, nieces Alice Long Parker and Priscilla Parker Melton and his nephew, Rickey Parker.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 2nd from 12pm-2pm at New Liberty Baptist Church in Vardaman, MS with the service following at 2pm, also at New Liberty Baptist Church. Bro. Chris Williams from North Oxford Baptist Church will bring the message and Bill Bailey and Melissa Harrelson will provide the music. Ernest will be laid to rest at New Liberty Cemetery in Vardaman, MS following funeral service.
Pallbearers are Dr. Jeff Parker,Tuscaloosa, AL; Anthony Parker, Tuscaloosa, AL; Greg Parker, Carthage MS; Ronald Parker, Belmont, MS; Chris Melton, Bruce, MS and Paul Walker, Big Creek, MS. Honorary pallbearers are his nephews Bryan Allen Long, Vardaman, MS; Bub Long, Vardaman, MS; Steve Long, Vardaman, MS; Tony Langford, Vardaman, MS; Sonny Parker, Coffeeville, MS; Jim Parker, Jasper, AL; Lane Parker, Iuka, MS; Joseph Parker, Terry, MS; Tim Parker, Mooreville, MS.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to The Gideons International at The Gideons International Processing Center, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251
Parker Memorial Funeral Home is honored to be of service to the Parker family during this difficult time of loss.
