Mr. David Jones Parker, 100, was born in Alexander County, N.C., on December 26, 1922, to the late Jacob B. Parker and Mattie Bell Clark Parker. He departed this life Monday, May 8, 2023 at the S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Mooresville, N.C.

David was affectionately called “Uncle Dave” by most who knew him. He was a devoted husband to his late wife, and he was a father and a brother who dedicated his life serving Jesus Christ and his fellow man. He loved the Lord, his family and his church, and he served his community well. He had a lighthearted spirit and did not take life too seriously. One of his favorite expressions was “No Problem.”

He attended Iredell County public schools. Being one of ten children, he sacrificed much to help support the family. As the son of sharecroppers, he worked in the cotton fields picking up to 300 pounds of cotton a day to only receive $3 at the end of the day.

In 1945, he was drafted into the military, serving as a Steward’s Mate First Class V6 in the United States Navy on the USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) and sailing in the South Pacific during WWII. His greatest joy was sharing military stories with anyone who would listen. He was a proud veteran who loved his country, but his country did not love him back.

After returning home, he married the love of is life, the late Ella Mae Sharpe Parker, and to that union two children were born; Peggy and David. The couple was married for 74 years.

In his early career, he was employed at Burlington Mills as a truck driver delivering textile materials. Later, he and his brothers John and Jesse formed Parker Brothers Construction Company. They were some of the most sought after brick masons and carpenters, building churches and houses in the surrounding areas. David continued to lay bricks until he was in his 80s. He was always fair in his business dealings, even to his own detriment.

He was a lifetime member of Shepherd Church of God in Mooresville, N.C., where he served as a trustee. He recently moved his membership to Greater Lilly’s Chapel in Statesville, N.C. He enjoyed traveling to visit his family, especially his children. He also enjoyed Smackdown Wrestling and listening to gospel music, especially the Jimmy Swaggart Singers.

Along with his parents, David was preceded in death by his wife Ella Mae Parker; brothers, John Parker, Phillip Parker, Jesse Parker, Paul Parker, and Reuben Parker; and sisters, Florida Mae Parker Mutz, Jannie Parker Cain, and Mattie Parker Sharpe.

Those left to cherish his memory are his son, David W. Parker of Bowie, Md.; and daughter, Peggy A. Parker of Decatur, Ga.; one sister; Lucy Parker Mills of Mooresville, N.C.; brothers-in-law, Furman C. (Esther) Sharpe of Simpsonville, S.C., and Charles Kenneth (Virginia) of Charlotte; two godsons, Keith (LaQuita) Parker of Crestview, Fla., and Jermel Stewart of Statesville; sisters-in-law, Mary Parker and Mary Lois Parker, both of Mooresville, and Magdalene Davis of Statesville; along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Celebration of Life services will be held Monday, May 15, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at New Life Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 11 to 11:30 a.m. at the church. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Park Cemetery.

Visit the Book of Memories for Mr. Parker at www.rutledgeandbigham.com.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Parker family.