Lester Parker Jr.

Blacksburg -- Lester Thomas "Joe" Parker, 78, of 360 Shaman Road, passed away Saturday, July 23rd, 2011 at Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care. Born in Hickory Grove, Mr. Parker was the widower of the late Merley Wray Terri Parker and the son of the late Lester Parker Sr. and the late Martha Ann Martin Parker. He retired from textiles and was a member of Mt. Paran Baptist Church. Mr. Parker is survived by a son, Scott Parker, of Anderson; a daughter, Jo Carol Parker Cobb, of Gaffney; five brothers, Billy Parker of Chester, Amos Parker of Hickory Grove, Denver Parker of Hickory Grove, Johnny Parker of Hickory Grove, and Sam Parker of Sharon; eight sisters, Mildred Pardue of Hollow Rock, TN, Annelle Felts of McKenzie, TN, Bonnie Roberts of Hickory Grove, Edna Ramsey of Sharon, Ruth Hudson of Sharon, Amy Harris of Sharon, Mary Ann Cobb of Blacksburg, and Nancy Hudson of York; four grandchildren, Emily Childers and Drew Cobb, both of Gaffney, and Drake and Wright Parker of Anderson; two great-grandchildren, Caroline and Parker Wade Childers; and three special children reared in the home, Amber, Ashley, and Michael Mosley. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Parker was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol Humphries Duncan, and a brother, Andy Parker. Funeral services will be held Friday, July 29, 2011, at 4:00 PM in the Gordon Mortuary Chapel with Rev. Jay Clever officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A private interment will be held at Oakland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Senior Center of Cherokee County, 307 West Pine Street, Blacksburg, SC 29702. The family will be at their respective homes. The Book of Memories is available at www.gordonmortuary.com.