Allen Parker
Age - 80
November 9, 2023
"Allen B. Parker of Lancaster, SC passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 30 following a nine year battle with melanoma. Born October 13, 1943 Allen was the last child of Fred and Lena Parker. Having two brothers and two sisters, he grew up in a farming community outside Mooresville, N. C. Growing up on a farm he had the "joy" of hoeing and picking cotton. Church was an important family life and Sunday school and church services were attended every week. In high school he worked on his uncle's dairy farm after school assisting with milking cows. In the summer there was hay and straw to be hauled and stored, silage to be cut and put into the silo. He also had many a good meal in the summer with his aunt's lunches. Allen graduated from West Rowan High School, Mt. Ulla, NC in 1962 and then attended Mitchell College, Statesville, NC. In 1968 Allen graduated from NC State University, Raleigh, NC with a degree in Textile Technology. His working career began with the Kendall Company, weaving cloth baby diapers. He worked for two other companies during his career but his final years were back at the plant where he began, retiring as Plant Manager. In 1968 he was drafted into military service (US Army). Quickly deciding that the infantry wasn't for him, he signed on for an extra year of service, going into Quarter Master School and graduating with honors. On January 1, 1969 he landed in Vietnam and was assigned to the 569th Topo Corp (map making unit) as a supply clerk. Prior to leaving Vietnam he was promoted to Sergeant and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal for service in Vietnam. Arriving back in the states from Vietnam he was assigned as a Supply Sergeant to an engineer group at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. While there his company was sent to Washington, DC on several occasions to aid in controlling the demonstrating anti-war crowds. Although he was never on the streets because of his supply position, he heard firsthand accounts of the abuse the soldiers had to endure. Many of whom had just completed their year in Vietnam. In 2002 he retired from his textile career and in 2005, after Hurricane Katrina, he began several years of volunteer work. He was president of the Anderson County District Volunteers in Mission and organized several trips to Mississippi, usually about once a quarter, from 2005 to 2010. Upon moving to Lancaster in 2010 Allen became involved with Habit for Humanity, Hope of Lancaster and The Bridge at Lynwood United Methodist Church. Along with a local group of volunteers he made many trips to Red Bird Mission in Kentucky and to Swan Quarter, NC to aid in hurricane recovery there. Allen is survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret; son, Mark (Kellie) Parker, Easley, SC; daughter Tonya Harmon, Lancaster, SC; granddaughters Maggi Parker, Chesterfield, SC and Victoria (Tori) Harmon, Lancaster, SC; great grandson, Easton Parker, Chesterfield, SC; step grandchildren, Emma Claire Thompson and Hayden Thompson, Easley, SC. Also a brother, Rev. Joe Parker, Greensboro, NC; sisters Jane Kiker, Lexington, SC and Margaret (Jim) Murdock, Supply, NC. He is predeceased by his parents, Fred Brown and Lena Troutman Parker; brother, Don Parker; sisters-in-law, Sondra Parker and Carolyn Parker; brother-in-law, Bill Kiker. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 100902, Columbia, SC 29290 or Hospice \u0026amp; Palliative Care Charlotte Region, PO Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28247. A celebration of life service will be held Friday, November 3rd at St. Luke United Methodist Church, 128 Providence Road, Lancaster, SC. Visitation will be from 12:00 till 1:00, with the celebration of life service following. Interment will be in the St. Luke cemetery. Lancaster Funeral Home is in charge. "Show more
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