Robert Lowery Parker, Jr.

Mr. Robert Lowery Parker, Jr. 70, of Henderson, NC entered eternal rest Thursday, February 9, 2012 at the residence of his sister in Henderson, NC.  Mr. Parker was the oldest child born to the late Robert Parker and Alice Idell Fierce Parker in Brooklyn, NY on January 1, 1942.  He dedicated his life to Christ at an early age at the Browns Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York. Later he attended the Messiah Baptist Church and then the Community Baptist Church, both of Yonkers, NY. After moving to Henderson, North Carolina in 2001, he joined the New Hope Baptist Church, in Warrenton, NC where he worshiped the Lord and devoted his skills to the church’s upkeep. Robert graduated from the Boys High School in Brooklyn, New York prior to moving to Yonkers, New York. Soon after he met and married Mary Ellen Jackson; they were blessed with two daughters, April and Debra. After several years of marriage, circumstances caused changes in their lives, but they remained lifelong close friends. A few years later he met and married Thomasina Graham. Within the next few years Robert had two sons, Eric and Robert III. Robert, more affectionately known as, Bobby could truly be called a man of many dreams, dreams that made his life interesting. He was a Jack of all trades and a master of most. He was an artist, a plumber, a mechanic and most of all, a master carpenter. He worked for many years for Local 56 Laborers Union in the bridges and tunnels in New York and Connecticut. He also spent some time working on the Alaskan pipeline. After experiencing significant injuries to his arms, Bobby sought a change and enrolled as a matriculated student at the State University of New York at Stonybrook, on Long Island and studied Mathematics and Physics. One of Bobby’s most important attributes was his generosity, and willingness to help and come to the aid of others.  In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Thomasina Graham Parker and daughter, Debra Parker MaCraney, two brothers, William N. Parker and most recently, Leon H. Parker on February 4, 2012  Cherishing his memories are  a daughter, April Parker Burke (Robert), of Middletown, NY; two sons, Eric Anthony Parker of Yonkers, NY, and Robert Lowery Parker III (Natacha), of Ellicott City, MD; grandchildren, a great-grandson; his  mother, Alice Idell Parker of Victoria, VA; two sisters, Anita Ballard-Jones (Joseph) of Henderson, NC, and Anna Jackson of Victoria, VA  and a vast number of other loving relatives and caring friends.  Funeral services for Mr. Robert Lowery Parker, Jr. will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Saturday, February 18, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church, Victoria, VA with Rev. William Moore, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church Saturday from 12:00 Noon until service time. Arrangements are by Giles-Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chase City, VA