Ellis Parker

Obituary For Ellis Parker

Mr. Ellis Parker, 77 departed this life on Thursday, November 24, 2022. Sincere Sympathy and prayers for family and friends.

On the day of August 10, 1945, Ellis Parker was born under the parentage of Anthony & Lucille Harrell Parker. He was one of nine children (Anthony Jr., Lorene, Lovell, Woodrow, Christine, Willie, Mary Ann, Irene) that the couple cared for deeply. When he was very young, he was given the nickname “Chop Chop” because of his love of pork chops. That name would become a beloved moniker and would stick with him through the duration of his life. He spent the vast majority of his formative years in Gadsden, AL where he attended Carver High School, excelled in athletics, and graduated in 1963. After high school, he served in the US Army and valiantly survived two tours to Vietnam. After several years of service, he was honorably discharged, and was awarded a purple heart and several other distinguished honors. After his time in the armed forces, he attended and graduated from Alabama Technical College.

While at Carver High, he met a lovely, young woman named Ida Faye Riggins. Even though Ellis wasn’t able to grab her attention at first sight, once he completed his armed forces obligation, he was able to capture her interest… and soon after… her heart. The smitten, young pair was married on February 15, 1969. During the course of their 53-year union, they built a beautiful, loving home that they filled with three children: Angela, Karen, and Chamberlain. There was nothing that meant more to Ellis than the prosperity of his family, and he worked diligently to make that come to fruition. Ellis was also an animal lover, and he nurtured a number (and variety) of pets during his life. In his professional life, he spent over three decades being a dutiful operative for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (prior to shut down), but his true passion was being a purveyor of quality male grooming for the seasoned, distinguished men of Gadsden. He served as a local barber for more than 50 years and was known city-wide for his skills.

Ellis had no shortages of pastimes. Throughout his time here, he dabbled with a number of hobbies and passing interests to fill his time, but nothing fired him up more than sports. He had a deep fascination with Los Angeles, so his closet was filled with Dodgers, Rams, and Lakers apparel, and very few things made him happier than to see Auburn beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl. In his later years, golf became a deep passion for him, not only as a way to get a little exercise, but it served him therapeutically by giving him a routine way to spend time with his friends and experience nature.

Ellis is survived by his loving and caring wife of 53 years: Ida Faye Parker, his three loyal children: Angela (Derek) Jenkins, Karen Parker, and Chamberlain Parker; his four grandchildren: Courtney Jenkins, Alexis Hughes, Cailyn (James Talmage) Simpson, and Camille Jenkins; his three great grandchildren: Layla Hughes, Jameson Simpson, and Gianna White; his two adoring sisters: Lorene Thomas and Irene (Mitchell) Facen; one nephew: Fred Parker; four nieces: Sherry Parker, Dr. Jessica Parker, Felecia Parker, and Princess Davis; special cousins: Floyd Belyeu and Harvey Wilson and family; one brother-in-law and friend: James (Lisa) Riggins; three godchildren: Delicia (Fred) Carter, Xavier (Makeisha) Davis, Jr., Matthew Crowder; special lifelong friends: Betty Stephens and family, Xavier and Jackie Davis and family, Lester and Theresa Crowder and family, Portia Foster and family, Geraldine Bradford Alexander, Charles Taylor (recently deceased); and a host of loving cousins, other relatives, neighbors, and dear friends.

PUBLIC VISITATION

Wednesday, November 30, 2022, 2pm - 7pm

FAMILY VISITATION

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2022, 5pm - 7pm

HOMEGOING CELEBRATION

Thursday, December 1, 2022, 1:00pm, Antioch Family Life Center, 2103 E. Broad St., Gadsden, AL.

INTERMENT

Lincoln Hill Cemetery, 408 Miller Ave., Gadsden, AL. 35903

The Obituary

On the day of August 10, 1945, Ellis Parker was born under the parentage of Anthony & Lucille Harrell Parker. He was one of nine children (Anthony Jr., Lorene, Lovell, Woodrow, Christine, Willie, Mary Ann, Irene) that the couple cared for deeply. When he was very young, he was given the nickname “Chop Chop” because of his love of pork chops. That name would become a beloved moniker and would stick with him through the duration of his life. He spent the vast majority of his formative years in Gadsden, AL where he attended Carver High School, excelled in athletics, and graduated in 1963. After high school, he served in the US Army and valiantly survived two tours to Vietnam. After several years of service, he was honorably discharged, and was awarded a purple heart and several other distinguished honors. After his time in the armed forces, he attended and graduated from Alabama Technical College.

While at Carver High, he met a lovely, young woman named Ida Faye Riggins. Even though Ellis wasn’t able to grab her attention at first sight, once he completed his armed forces obligation, he was able to capture her interest… and soon after… her heart. The smitten, young pair was married on February 15, 1969. During the course of their 53-year union, they built a beautiful, loving home that they filled with three children: Angela, Karen, and Chamberlain. There was nothing that meant more to Ellis than the prosperity of his family, and he worked diligently to make that come to fruition. Ellis was also an animal lover, and he nurtured a number (and variety) of pets during his life. In his professional life, he spent over three decades being a dutiful operative for the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (prior to shut down), but his true passion was being a purveyor of quality male grooming for the seasoned, distinguished men of Gadsden. He served as a local barber for more than 50 years and was known city-wide for his skills.

Ellis had no shortages of pastimes. Throughout his time here, he dabbled with a number of hobbies and passing interests to fill his time, but nothing fired him up more than sports. He had a deep fascination with Los Angeles, so his closet was filled with Dodgers, Rams, and Lakers apparel, and very few things made him happier than to see Auburn beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl. In his later years, golf became a deep passion for him, not only as a way to get a little exercise, but it served him therapeutically by giving him a routine way to spend time with his friends and experience nature.

Ellis is survived by his loving and caring wife of 53 years: Ida Faye Parker, his three loyal children: Angela (Derek) Jenkins, Karen Parker, and Chamberlain Parker; his four grandchildren: Courtney Jenkins, Alexis Hughes, Cailyn (James Talmage) Simpson, and Camille Jenkins; his three great grandchildren: Layla Hughes, Jameson Simpson, and Gianna White; his two adoring sisters: Lorene Thomas and Irene (Mitchell) Facen; one nephew: Fred Parker; four nieces: Sherry Parker, Dr. Jessica Parker, Felecia Parker, and Princess Davis; special cousins: Floyd Belyeu and Harvey Wilson and family; one brother-in-law and friend: James (Lisa) Riggins; three godchildren: Delicia (Fred) Carter, Xavier (Makeisha) Davis, Jr., Matthew Crowder; special lifelong friends: Betty Stephens and family, Xavier and Jackie Davis and family, Lester and Theresa Crowder and family, Portia Foster and family, Geraldine Bradford Alexander, Charles Taylor (recently deceased); and a host of loving cousins, other relatives, neighbors, and dear friends.

Service By Professionals, Gadsden Memorial Funeral Home.

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