Merle Parker

Erwin, NC:  Mr. Merle Joseph Parker, age 83, of Erwin died Tuesday, October 28, 2014, at Betsy Johnson Hospital in Dunn.  Funeral services will be 11:0AM Friday, October 31, 2014, at Erwin First Baptist Church.   Officiating will be Rev. Keith Goretzka.  Burial will follow in Roselawn Cemetery in Benson.      Mr. Parker was born on September 2, 1931 in Harnett County to the late Samuel Colon and Aidell Allen Parker.   He was also preceded in death by a sister, Christine Hawley, and brothers, Morris Parker, Eugene Parker, and Winston Parker. He worked with Carl's Supermarket and the Harnett County schools.  Mr. Parker was a member of Erwin First Baptist Church and a member of Erwin School Goodfellows.  He loved his family and friends.  Mr. Parker was an avid gardener and a Duke, Boston Red Sox, and Jeff Gordon fan.  He loved growing large red tomatoes, his red tractor, and his brown truck.      Surviving are wife, Edna Massad Parker; daughters & sons-in-law, Angela & Roscoe Stephenson of Benson and Theresa & Dan Zook of Appling, GA; grandsons, Phillip Blacha & fiancée, Bri Meeler, Parker Stephenson, and Corey Stephenson; granddaughter, Hayley Stephenson; great granddaughters, Audrey Lynn Stephenson and Georgia Grace Stephenson; sisters & brother-in-law, Montez Roudebush of Canton, OH and Judy & Mal Glover of Raleigh; and several nieces and nephews.      The family will receive friends at Rose & Graham Funeral Home in Benson from 6:00PM to 8:00PM Thursday.      Flowers are welcomed; however, memorials may be made to Erwin First Baptist Church, 300 S. 12th Street, Erwin, NC  28339 or St. Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105.