DeRoy Parker

Obituary For DeRoy Parker

Mr. DeRoy Roger Parker,Sr. departed this life on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at his residence in Blacksburg, SC. He was born on February 21, 1926 in Cherokee County, SC, to the late Ben Parker and the late Martha Starnes Parker.

Deroy was retired from J. E. Herndon Textiles in Kings Mountain, NC after 30 years of employment. But his strong work ethic came early on growing up on a farm as the youngest of 13 children. Deroy became a jack of all trades. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix from cars to indoor plumbing, Deroy could do it. He was truly gifted with his hands. He had a passion for working on cars. He also loved riding on his tractor and plowing up the fields for gardening. As an avid outdoorsman and man of adventure, he enjoyed riding his Harley Davis, fishing, traveling to the beach and raising goats. Although he always remained young at heart, at the time of his passing, Deroy was the oldest living black man in the city of Blacksburg and the oldest male of his church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Gladys C. Parker; his second wife Shirley Parker; his son, Jimmy Byers; his grandson, Tony Parker; his great-grandson, Geffrey Dawkins, Jr and 8 sisters and 4 brothers.

He leaves to cherish his memory to his children, Deroy Parker, Jr. (Carol) of Kings Mountain, NC and Virginia Dowdle (Dennis) of Blacksburg, SC; step-son, Robert Butler, II (Martha) of Gaffney, SC; 6 grandchildren, Tim Goode (Tanisha) of Cherryville, Angel Dawkins (Jeff) of Kings Mountain, NC, Daisinick Parker of Miami, FL, Terry Parker of Blacksburg, Travis Hemphill (Shauna) of Charlotte, NC, and Patrick Degree of Blacksburg; 2 step-grandsons, Rev. Cory Gaines (KeeAira) of Gastonia, NC and Robert Butler,II of Spartanburg, SC; 10 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Rachel Huskey and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at 11:30 AM at Young’s Grove Baptist Church. Burial will take place at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM until 11:30 AM and at other times at 205 Bolin Road Blacksburg, SC.