Tom was born April 25, 1936, as one of 14 children born to John Armor and Effie Jones Parker. Tom, an avid outdoorsman, loved to fish, hunt, and work in his garden; he especially loved to grow tomatoes. He answered the call of his country by serving in the United States Navy for four years. For more than 30 years, he worked at U. S. Motors in Philadelphia, Mississippi; retiring in 1995. He loved to work and be around people so for the next several years, he worked as a security guard at the Neshoba County Hospital. For the last 12 years or so, he has worked as a security guard at Woody’s in Noxapater. The little children that come into the store will miss him giving them candy.
Mr. Parker is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judy Hamilton Parker; four daughters, Teresa Boatner; Lisa Boatner; Melissa Farrelly and husband, Michael; and Janice Vowell and husband, Dewayne, all of Noxapater. He is also survived by three sisters, Nancy Reynolds and husband, Emmette; Doris White and husband, Bobby; and Janette Fulton; and by three brothers, O’Neil Parker and wife, Betty; Clovis Parker and wife, Beverly; and Floyd “Hank” Parker and wife, Dianne. One of his greatest joys was being “PaPa Tom” to his five grandchildren: Robin Wood (Joel); Tamara Boydstun; Brianna Farrelly; April Farrelly; and Victoria Vowell; one great-grandchild, Grayson Zahid; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his loving step-mother, Lena Boswell Parker; and seven siblings: Senorita Parker, Wilbur Parker, Crawford Parker, J. F. Parker, Lucille Creekmore, Beatrice Moody, and Willie Pearl Credle.
Serving as pallbearers are Brad Moody, Scotty Moody, Lee Parker, Darrel Snow, Archie Woodson, and Jerry Woodson. Honorary pallbearers are John Clark, Michael Farrelly, Parker Wayne Moody, Woodrow “Woody” Reed, and Dewayne Vowell. Memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Parker may be given to The Foundation for Fighting Blindness, 7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046.
Services are under the direction of Nowell-Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.
