ROXOBEL – Mr. Thurman W. “Buck” Parker, age 86 of Roxobel, died at Roanoke Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie on Sunday, January 30, 2011.

He was a native of Bertie County and a member of the Sandy Run Baptist Church.  He was married to the late Carleen B. Parker on March 4, 1944.

In his earlier years, Mr. Parker worked as a farmer with his father and later became a carpenter, which he did for the rest of his working career.  He loved gardening, fishing and hunting.  He was the biggest kid to all the grown ups, enjoying practical jokes.  Mr. Parker loved and enjoyed the children around the community. He was very loving to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Preceding him in death is his mother and father, Ida Mae Byrd Parker and Ulysses C. Parker; one sister, Hannah P. Martin; and one brother, Edward Lee Parker, along with several half brothers and half sisters.

Survivors include two sons, Raymond Parker and his wife, Mary Agnes, of Rocky Mount and Thomas Parker and his wife, Theresa, of Roxobel; five grandchildren, Chris Odom, Kimberly Sloop, Ray Parker, Lisa Evans and Renee’ Baker; and eight great grandchildren, Quinton Odom, Derek and Nikki Sloop, Wayne Ray Parker, II, Amelia Lee and Leah Nicole Evans and Luke and Gracie Baker.

Graveside services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 2, 2011 at the Roxobel Kelford Cemetery in Roxobel.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Sykes Funeral Service in Rich Square.

Contributions may be made to the Sandy Run Baptist Church. PO Box 95, Roxobel, NC  27872.

Sykes Funeral Service of Rich Square is handling the arrangements and online condolences may be directed to the family at www.sykesfuneralservice.com.