RHUELL H. PARKER
Rhuell H. Parker, 87, of Marble died Tuesday (March 11, 2008) in Reston, VA.
He was a native of Cherokee County and the son of the late Frank and Hattie Arrowood Parker. He attended Andrews High School and played football, basketball, and boxing. He served on the Andrews Police Department before being drafted into World War II, where he served in the United States Army in the African and European Theatres.
After the war, he and his wife, Fran, moved to Canton, OH where he worked at Republic Steel for several years. He attended a heavy equipment school in Pennsylvania and learned to operate heavy equipment used in the construction industry. Upon completion, he relocated to the Washington D.C. metropolitan area where he gained employment with a company. During his tenure, he was promoted to general superintendent. He retired in January of 1986 after 30 years of service.
After retirement, Rhuell and Frances built a home in Marble and returned to live there until November of 2006. Rhuell was stricken with Alzheimer’s and returned to Virginia to live there with his son in Leesburg. Due to the severity of his condition, he lived his remaining life in an assisted living facility dedicated to the care of Alzheimer’s patients.
Rhuell was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Murphy where he was an Elder and held the Melchizedek Priesthood.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Bernice and three brothers, Kyle, John, and Robert.
Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Frances Dockery Parker; a son, Michael Parker of Leesburg, VA; two brothers, Paul “Brownie” Parker and Earl “Muss” Parker both of Andrews; four grandchildren, Naomi Susan Parker, Erin Alyse Outten, Rhees Alexander Parker, and Nhiya Dey Parker; and a great grandchild, Josie Micayla Outten.
Funeral services at 11:00 AM Friday (March 14) in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews with Elder James Burgess officiating. Interment in Moss Cemetery. Pallbearers: Eddie, Joe, Robby, and Howard Parker, Howard Coffey, and LeRoy Gilbert.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 Thursday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Rhuell H. Parker to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, Mountain Region Office, 31 College Place, Suite D-320, Asheville, NC 28801-2644.
Ivie Funeral Home, Andrews in charge of all arrangements.
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