JAMES WALTER PARKER

CHARLESTON -- James Walter Parker, 64, of Charleston died Saturday, Sept. 27, 1997, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

He was born April 28, 1933, in Deventer to James and Daisy Johnson Parker. He worked at McMikle Funeral Home from 1954 to 1984, the Charleston Public School System from 1984 to 1989 and the Charleston Parks Department from 1992 to 1994 before health problems forced his retirement.

He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Charleston, a former member of the IOOF Lodge and was active in all aspects of the Little League sports program.

He married Sylvia Lee Wilson on July 9, 1960. She survives. He is also survived by a son, Terry Parker of Charleston; three daughters, Mary Parker of Orlando, Fla., Pamela Black of Titusville, Fla., and Leslie Parker of Charleston; two brothers, Carl Parker of West Memphis, Ark., and Jackie Parker of Charleston; two sisters, Dorothy Miller of Diehlstadt and Lynda Davis of Charleston; a half-sister, Patricia Watson of Anaheim, Calif.; and two grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a daughter.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at McMikle Funeral Home. Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Gerald Collier officiating. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery.