David Elijah "Red" Parker, Sr. peacefully went home to be with the Lord at 3:30 p.m. at Berkshire Health and Rehabilitation Center in Vinton, VA on October 17, 2017. Prior to his stay in Berkshire, he had been in the VA Medical Center in Salem, VA for three months.

"Red" as he was affectionately known as, was born on April 30, 1936 to the late Goldie Austin and Sybil Craig Parker. He was the last surviving sibling of twelve; he was preceded in death by five brothers and six sisters. Red joined Bold Branch Baptist at an early age. He served in the United States Army for four years, worked for Leggett Department Store in Bedford, and worked for Adam's Construction for 25 years.

His favorite hobby was tinkering and working on lawnmowers and he loved spending time and talking with friends. He really enjoyed listening to gospel music, playing his keyboard and guitar. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Mrs. Betty Jean Johnson Parker, one daughter, Gloria (James) Coles, two sons, David (Eileen) Parker, Jr. and Jeffrey (Carey) Parker; grandsons, Clifford "CJ" (Carol) Harris, Andre Harris, Sean Parker, Brian Parker and Jeffrey Skinner; great grandchildren, Marckel Bonds, Elijah Harris, Maliyah Harris, and Jerrica Harris; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, including special nieces, Elaine Robertson and Carol Carson, special nephew, William "Red" Bonds; special friends, Deacon John Daley and Johnnie Harris.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 20, 2017 at 1pm in the Bedford Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Virginia Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service at the funeral home.

God saw the road was getting rough, The hills were hard to climb, He gently closed his loving eyes, And whispered, "Peace be Thine". His weary hours, his days of pain His sleepless nights are past, His ever worn and broken frame Has found rest, sweet rest at last.
~The Family