Judge Robert Manley Parker

Funeral services for Judge Robert Manley Parker, 82, of Anniston will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Anniston, with the Rev. Pete Hawker presiding. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 12:30-2 p.m. at the church.

Born December 28, 1928, Judge Parker died Sunday, October 23, in Anniston.

Survivors include his loving wife of 27 years, Virginia Allred Parker; one daughter, Frances P. Quarles (Randy) of Mountain Brook, Ala.; three stepsons, Larry Daniel of Talladega, Patrick Porteous of Anniston, and Joseph Porteous of La Mesa, Calif.; and grandchildren, George Tankersley, Parker Tankersley and Stewart Quarles, all of Mountain Brook, Kate Porteous of Anniston, and Drew Daniel, Cassidy Daniel and Peyton Daniel, all of Talladega. Judge Parker was predeceased by his parents, Herman and Mabel Parker of Birmingham, and his sister, Virginia Carr of Birmingham.

Pallbearers will be Randy Quarles, Joseph Porteous, Patrick Porteous, Larry Daniel, David Allred and James Storey. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Upper Room Class of the First United Methodist Church and members of the Civitan Club of Anniston.

Judge Parker served for 18 years, from 1964 to 1982, as Circuit Judge for the 7th Judicial Circuit, which includes Calhoun and Cleburne Counties. He was the Circuit’s presiding judge for the last six years of his tenure. During his time on the bench, Judge Parker adjudicated with a common-sense wisdom that was respected by all. After his retirement Judge Parker often returned to active status as a special judge at both the trial and appellate levels. In 1997 he served as a Special Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court for a case in which the regular Justices recused themselves because the then-Chief Justice was a party to the lawsuit. Judge Parker also served by special appointment on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals for a number of cases.

Judge Parker received his LL.B. degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa. He was loved by many in the community and had close friends from all walks of life. Most notably, Judge Parker endeared himself to his family and displayed a deep love for his wife, daughter, stepchildren and especially his grandchildren. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Anniston, the Inns of Court and the Civitan Club of Anniston, of which he was a past president. His contributions to the Anniston community were abundant, and his presence will be dearly missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Anniston.