Franklin Delano Parker Sr.

There are no words to express the range of emotions that we feel right now. We only know that an overwhelming loss and sadness affects us. There is no way to prepare for the loss of a loved one, especially when it is your dad. Franklin Delano Parker Sr. or as his Aunt Sadie so lovingly nicknamed him "Billy Frank" or just "Billy," was born on June 3, 1939, to the late Roosevelt and Inez Parker in the small town of Carbon Hill, Alabama. His parents raised him and his ten siblings in a loving home. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at an early age and joined First Baptist Church of Carbon Hill, where he was a faithful and dedicated choir member. He and his older brother Oscar would later help construct and brick a new First Baptist Church building, which is still in use today. Franklin loved music and liked to listen to the gospel with a little bit of Sam Cooke and Motown sprinkled in the mix. Franklin worked all the time; however, he enjoyed making furniture, gardening, and fishing and was an excellent cook in his leisure. He also liked playing baseball and, unbeknownst to his family, had a hidden talent for playing pool. Franklin graduated from Dunbar High School at an early age and was amongst the top of his graduating class. He liked to tell his kids that he walked 10 miles to school every day. Later they learned that the school was literally just around the corner from his home. He had a love for math and construction, so after graduating from high school, he attended Wenona Technical Trade School in Birmingham, Alabama, to become a brick mason. While growing up in Carbon Hill, he met Allela Kay House. She lived in Washington, Indiana but would visit her grandmother in the summers and attend church functions with her at the First Baptist Church of Carbon Hill. Franklin and Allela maintained a long-distance relationship throughout her high school years and later married in 1962. While living in Carbon Hill, they had the first two of their five children Khristal Inez and Franklin Delano Jr. They moved to Huntsville, where they later had Suntania Kay, Omega Allela, and William Sims. Franklin was excellent in his chosen brick masonry field and obtained the status of a master brick mason. As an entrepreneur, he and one of his eldest brothers, Oscar Parker, founded Parker and Parker Masonry Incorporate, one of the few African American companies established in the 1960s, in Huntsville, Alabama. The company completed work in Huntsville and throughout the United States. They constructed buildings throughout Huntsville, Alabama, including Alabama A&M University, Oakwood College, and places as far away as Walla Walla, Washington. He and Oscar also dabbled in the restaurant business, opening the University Grill near the Alabama A&M campus. It was short-lived, but the sloppy joes and chili dogs were the best.

After a few years, he co-founded another brick masonry establishment known as Pioneer Masonry Company. He eventually became the sole proprietor and conducted business with Huntsville Design, Schrimsher and Sons General Construction, and other notable construction companies nationwide. He was well respected in his field and was well known for his creative talent, diligence, and attention to detail. Franklin, known for his strong personality and determination, was fondly referred to by his employees as "Dr. Parker" because of his knowledge of construction and life lessons. Currently, Franklin's masonry creativity and design are embedded in Huntsville's architectural history. He also trained many people along the way and worked up until he had a major stroke in 2003, which caused paralysis on his body's left side. Even with life challenges, his faith and commitment to his family and God never wavered. The family is very proud of Franklin. He was a devoted husband, loving father, and a servant to the Lord. To say he loved his grandchildren is an understatement. He cherished all eleven of his grandchildren, remembering their birthdays better than he did his children. Needless to say, he was very proud of his grandchildren and children. Franklin was close to his siblings and loved them very much as well. He had a wonderful smile and an infectious laugh. Everyone loved to hear him laugh. Throughout the neighborhood, he was known by the kids as Mr. Billy. The running saying was, "Mr. Billy is nice, but Mr. Billy doesn't play." Contrary to his stern demeanor, Franklin was always willing to help people when he could, whether giving someone a job or a helping hand. Our hearts are heavy, but we know that he is resting at peace with the one he loved most in the world, Jesus, his Lord, and Savior. Missing him and at the same time thanking God for having allowed them to journey with Franklin in this world are his loving wife, Allela K. Parker of Huntsville, Alabama; two sons Franklin (Delene) Parker, Jr. of Madison, Alabama, William (Tiffany) Parker of Huntsville, Alabama; three daughters, Khristal (John) Jouett of Madison, Alabama, Suntania (Cedric) Draper of Madison, Alabama, and Omega (Richard) Sanders of Huntsville, Alabama; remaining siblings, Gayle (Pervis) Edwards of Long Beach, California, Elkin (Sherry) Parker of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Gary Parker of Bellville, Michigan; eleven grandchildren, Jasmine Monk, Juvawn Parker, Jalecia Parker, Jadda Parker, Kyle Parker, Josiah Parker, John P. Jouett, Kayla Jouett, Ashlyn Sanders, Joshua Sanders, and Jay Sanders; three great-grandchildren, and many relatives and friends.