Ralph Harrison Parker, Sr.

Mr. Parker was born in Southport on May 14, 1940, son of the late Harry Raphael Parker and Evelyn Hankins Parker. He graduated from Brunswick County Training School and received his Bachelors Degree at North Carolina A&T State University with honors. While at NC A&T, Mr. Parker became a member of the national fraternity Omega Psi Phi. After graduating, he moved back to Brunswick County to teach history and band for many years. Mr. Parker received his Master’s Degree from North Carolina State University. Mr. Parker started working at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in various capacities such as Assistant Director of Admissions, Dean of Students, Dean of Admissions, and Director of the Office of Minority Affairs. It is at UNCW that his memory will live on through a scholarship named in his honor. Mr. Parker retired from UNCW in 1996 after 36 years of service to the State of North Carolina. He continued to work as a consultant with the university as well as served as an Assessment Counselor at Mt. Olive College. He received many honors for his service in numerous civic and professional organizations. He was active in the Southport community serving on the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee and was a member of First Baptist Church. Mr. Parker spent many hours in his woodworking shop. That hobby eventually evolved into a business named The Good Wood Shop.

Survivors include his wife Ivory Shird Parker of Southport; daughter, Dionne DeBerry and husband Jonathan of Leland; son, Ralph Parker, Jr. and wife Tracy of Nolensville, Tennessee; sister, Evelyn Amelia Patterson of Southport; and five grandchildren, Jathan DeBerry, Ralph Parker, III, Bryce DeBerry, Zia DeBerry, and Nick Parker.

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 noon Friday, April 14, 2017 in John N. Smith Cemetery with Reverend Brian Monroe officiating.

The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00pm Thursday, April 13, 2017 at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service in Southport.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship, 205 E. Moore Street, Southport, North Carolina 28461.

Online condolences may be made at www.peacocknewnamwhite.com.

Peacock - Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport.