Mr. James Earnest Parker Jr., 50, of 3021 Arlington Avenue, Statesville, N.C., passed away at Frye Regional Medical Center on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, following an extended illness. He was born in Iredell County, N.C., on December 14, 1969, and was the son of James Earnest Parker Sr. and Sandra Sue Price Parker. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, NaHaven Parker, Annie Lucille Parker, L B. Price and Willie Jo Price.
He was a 1989 graduate of Alexander Central High School and was employed by ShurTape Manufacturing Company in Stony Point since his graduation. He was a member of First Resurrection Church under the leadership of Bishop Elect Dr. Lonnie Gray, Pastor.
In addition to his parents, James and Sandra Parker, he leaves to cherish the memory of his life his brother, Charles Parker of Winston-Salem; his sister, Annette Parker of Jamestown; his adopted brother, Corey Rhoney of Statesville; his godmother, Bertha Hamilton of Statesville; three nephews, Kelle Parker of the home, and Adarius Ijames and Dorian Robinson, both of Statesville; his great nieces, Kyrana Parker, Aria Ijames, Aniya Ijames, Ashlynn Ijames and Lira Parker, all of Statesville; special cousins, Angela Robinson of Statesville, Jessica Davidson of Mooresville and Teresa Horton of Stony Point; close friends, Minister June Gray and Travis Summers, both of Troutman; and a host of cousins, other relatives, co-workers from ShurTape, the First Resurrection Church Family, neighbors and friends.
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Thursday, May 7, 2020, at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home at 12 noon. Bishop Elect Lonnie E. Gray will officiate and burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville.
Mr. Parker will remain at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home and the family will assemble at the residence of his parents, James and Sandra Parker, 1646 Drumstand Road, Stony Point, at other times.
There will be no public visitation. Unfortunately, with the COVID-19 crisis, Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, along with other funeral homes across the country, has been issued a mandate to limit the number of family and/or friends at funeral services. You can only enter the funeral with a funeral pass, which will be given to the family.
Rutledge & Bigham Funeral Home is serving the family.