The Rev. Dr. James Burlie Parker Jr., passed away from this life to his eternal home in Heaven on May 8, 2024.

Dr. Parker was born on July 20, 1927, in Caswell County, N.C., to James Burlie Parker Sr. and Sally Mae Dove Parker. He received Christ as his personal Savior at age 17.

Mr. Parker was married to Marion Barbara Brumfield on March 21, 1953, at her home in Danville, Va., and shared 71 years as his forever love and partner in ministry.

Mr. Parker was a graduate of Murphy High School in Milton, N.C., the Seminary Extension Department of the Southern Baptist Convention, Nashville, Tenn., with two degrees, The Universal Bible Institute, Birmingham, Ala., and the School of Pastoral Care, North Carolina Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem, N.C.

He also attended Fruitland Bible Institute (now College), Hendersonville, N.C., Piedmont Bible College, Winston-Salem, N.C., and the School of Prophets, Dallas, Texas.

Before being ordained into the full-time pastorate, Mr. Parker served as an ordained Deacon, S.S. Director/Teacher, choir member, and an interim Pastor/Minister at several churches in Virginia.

Pastor Parker was ordained into the gospel ministry in Danville, Va., on June 18, 1961, after being called as pastor of Hanes Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. He also served as pastor of Easton Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, N.C., Troutman Baptist Church, Troutman, N.C., Brushy Fork Baptist Church, Vilas, N.C., and Cochran Street Baptist Church, Statesville, N.C. After retiring in 1992, he continued to serve as interim pastor of Yadkin Baptist Church, Statesville, N.C., and then as pastor of Shady Grove Baptist Church, Wilkes County, N.C., and Bristol Drive Baptist Church, Statesville, N.C.

He had a gospel tract ministry from 1961-2021 and served as a volunteer chaplain at Davis Hospital, trustee of the Christian Action League of NC, President of the South Yadkin Baptist Association Pastor’s Conference, Statesville, N.C. and preached numerous revivals in North and South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, New York, and Canada.

Mr. Parker served in the U.S. Army from 1950 until 1952 (Korean Conflict) and continued in the Army Reserves for five years.

Pastor Parker is survived by his wife, Barbara, of 71 years; one son, Paul Joel Parker (Laura) of Candler, N.C.; one daughter-in-law, Deborah of Concord, N.C.; four grandsons, Rev. John Parker IV (Joyce) of Fayette, Mo., Rev. Joel Andrew “Drew” Parker (Rachel) of Coats, N.C., Taylor Joseph Parker (Dakota) of Huntersville, N.C., and Cameron Evan Parker (Meghan) of Zebulon, N.C. He is also survived by 11 great-grandchildren, Abigail, Daniel, Carol, William, Evan, Elizabeth, Phinihas, Savannah, Boone, Mason, and Chase.

He was preceded in death by one son, James Burlie “Jim” Parker III; two great grandchildren, Charlotte Grace Parker and Titus Evan Parker; and four brothers and two sisters.

Rev. Parker was called by many different names such as Reverend, Dr., Mr., and J.B., but always preferred being called Pastor Parker because he was truly a pastor to many.

When he was no longer able to pastor, he became a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church, where he loved hearing God’s Word preached by the pastor there, but he continued as long as he was able to preach at various churches and funerals.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at 4 p.m. at Western Avenue Baptist Church with Dr. Jeff Spry officiating. Burial will follow at Yadkin Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Western Avenue Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mrs. Barbara B. Parker in memory of Titus Evan Parker, great grandson of Dr. Parker. The family is establishing a Titus Strong Foundation in c/o 316 Hartness Road, Statesville, NC 28677.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.