Obituary for Edward Monroe "Ed" Parker Sr.
A giant limb has fallen from the Parker Family Tree. A much-loved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Edward Monroe Parker, Sr., passed away November 12, 2020 in the presence of his family. He bravely confronted and fought Alzheimer’s Disease for the last ten years.
Edward M. Parker, Sr. was the son of the late Wilbur Hatney and Recie Parker. He was raised by his loving grandparents, Major and Lucille Parker. He was a wonderful man that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. “Ed” as he was called by his beloved late wife Hazel, “Daddy,” as he was called by his children, “Grandpop” as he was called by his grandchildren, was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. He was joined in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, Hazel Drummond, on August 18, 1954. This union was blessed with four children. They shared a marriage of love and devotion until their health began to fail. Ed was a strong patriarch of his family.
He was educated in the public schools of Accomack County, Virginia. At an early age, Ed gave his life to Christ and joined St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Daugherty, Virginia. He worked in many capacities in the church and could be counted on to do anything that was asked of him.
He was employed by Accomack County Public Schools as a custodian for 25 years before he retired. Additionally, he worked part-time as a barber. He began cutting hair out of his home, then later moved to Ed’s Barbershop in Accomac, VA in the early 1970’s. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He would accommodate parents by cutting their kids’ hair at school if they couldn’t make it to the barbershop. He would go to the hospital and nursing homes to cut anyone’s hair that wanted a haircut. If you couldn’t get off work before the barbershop closed, he would stay until you got off. Often times, these acts of love were done free of charge.
Mr. Ed enjoyed several hobbies, including shooting pool with his Tuesday Night Pool Gang, playing dominoes with his wife, and joking around with family and friends. Ed was a fervent Washington Redskins fan. It wasn’t unusual to see him dressed in Redskins attire. Additionally, he used to umpire baseball games. His sons affectionately recall plenty of baseball games where their dad was hard on them. He was quick to call them out. When they questioned why he called them out, he responded with “I treat you like I treat everyone else!”
Ed never met a stranger. He always exuded kindness and found great joy in making the people around him happy. He loved telling jokes and making people laugh. People would sit at the barbershop for hours just to laugh and joke with him. He was a loving uncle, cousin, and friend to many and will be remembered fondly.
Loved ones that preceded him in death are: his loving wife, Hazel Parker; two granddaughters, Whitney Parker and Rasheeda Edwards; and a sister-in-law that he was instrumental in raising, Shelia Toppin.
Ed provided a glowing example of how to live life through a commitment to professional and personal excellence. He touched the world with a positive light in many ways, leaving a legacy of joy, class, and love. He leaves to cherish his precious memories: three sons, Edward Parker, Jr. (Susan) of Chester, VA, Gregory Parker (Parisenna) of Nelsonia, VA, and Clayfort Parker (Sherry) of Fayetteville, NC; one daughter, Gwen Dorn (Andrew) of Parksley, VA; eleven grandchildren, one he was instrumental in rearing, Deametrious “Shoan” Bagwell; thirteen great-grandchildren; one dedicated brother, Joseph Parker (Junie) of Brooklyn, NY; one sister, Mattie of Philadelphia, PA; two sisters-in-law, Betty Fletcher, whom he was instrumental in rearing and Mary Anne Belton; two special cousins who spent a lot of evenings at the barbershop with him, William and Barry Parker; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.
Edward M. Parker, Sr. was the son of the late Wilbur Hatney and Recie Parker. He was raised by his loving grandparents, Major and Lucille Parker. He was a wonderful man that was loved, is missed, and will always be cherished. “Ed” as he was called by his beloved late wife Hazel, “Daddy,” as he was called by his children, “Grandpop” as he was called by his grandchildren, was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. He was joined in Holy Matrimony to the love of his life, Hazel Drummond, on August 18, 1954. This union was blessed with four children. They shared a marriage of love and devotion until their health began to fail. Ed was a strong patriarch of his family.
He was educated in the public schools of Accomack County, Virginia. At an early age, Ed gave his life to Christ and joined St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Daugherty, Virginia. He worked in many capacities in the church and could be counted on to do anything that was asked of him.
He was employed by Accomack County Public Schools as a custodian for 25 years before he retired. Additionally, he worked part-time as a barber. He began cutting hair out of his home, then later moved to Ed’s Barbershop in Accomac, VA in the early 1970’s. He was always willing to lend a helping hand. He would accommodate parents by cutting their kids’ hair at school if they couldn’t make it to the barbershop. He would go to the hospital and nursing homes to cut anyone’s hair that wanted a haircut. If you couldn’t get off work before the barbershop closed, he would stay until you got off. Often times, these acts of love were done free of charge.
Mr. Ed enjoyed several hobbies, including shooting pool with his Tuesday Night Pool Gang, playing dominoes with his wife, and joking around with family and friends. Ed was a fervent Washington Redskins fan. It wasn’t unusual to see him dressed in Redskins attire. Additionally, he used to umpire baseball games. His sons affectionately recall plenty of baseball games where their dad was hard on them. He was quick to call them out. When they questioned why he called them out, he responded with “I treat you like I treat everyone else!”
Ed never met a stranger. He always exuded kindness and found great joy in making the people around him happy. He loved telling jokes and making people laugh. People would sit at the barbershop for hours just to laugh and joke with him. He was a loving uncle, cousin, and friend to many and will be remembered fondly.
Loved ones that preceded him in death are: his loving wife, Hazel Parker; two granddaughters, Whitney Parker and Rasheeda Edwards; and a sister-in-law that he was instrumental in raising, Shelia Toppin.
Ed provided a glowing example of how to live life through a commitment to professional and personal excellence. He touched the world with a positive light in many ways, leaving a legacy of joy, class, and love. He leaves to cherish his precious memories: three sons, Edward Parker, Jr. (Susan) of Chester, VA, Gregory Parker (Parisenna) of Nelsonia, VA, and Clayfort Parker (Sherry) of Fayetteville, NC; one daughter, Gwen Dorn (Andrew) of Parksley, VA; eleven grandchildren, one he was instrumental in rearing, Deametrious “Shoan” Bagwell; thirteen great-grandchildren; one dedicated brother, Joseph Parker (Junie) of Brooklyn, NY; one sister, Mattie of Philadelphia, PA; two sisters-in-law, Betty Fletcher, whom he was instrumental in rearing and Mary Anne Belton; two special cousins who spent a lot of evenings at the barbershop with him, William and Barry Parker; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.