James Garfield Parker Jr.

James Garfield (Brother/Bubby) Parker Jr., 62, of Roanoke, Va., and formerly of Bedford County left his earthly home at Richfield Recovery and Care Center on Monday, September 14, 2009, to be with the Lord and be reunited with his Dad and Mom. He was born on Tuesday, May 27, 1947, in Roanoke County, a son of the late James Garfield Parker and Laura Hogan Parker Flowers. Surviving are his three sisters, Mary Eddington, of Newport, Tenn., and her sons, Frankie, Michael and Dwayne; his two devoted sisters and brothersin-law, Marie Smith (her husband, Mike, who preceded him in death) and their daughter, Laura, and Sadie Hardy and her husband, Bob, and their son, Richard, all of Roanoke. The family wants to thank the caregivers at Richfield we deeply appreciate their compassionate care shown to Brother, especially the staff on 3 East who took care of him for 32 years. Thanks to Rita for all the haircuts. We shall be eternally grateful for all of your efforts as his care needs were many. We would also like to thank Dr. Gene Godwin and his associates for all the years they took care of his medical needs; Dr. Chad Albright, M.D. and his assistant, Dana Gaddy, and the others that assisted him at Vistar Eye Center in Salem for their gentle and compassionate care they have given him and the workers at United Ambulance for transporting and helping us with him during his eye exams. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at Updike Funeral Chapel, Bedford with the Rev. Jack Lowe and the Rev. Wayne Murphy officiating. Interment will follow in Leftwich Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford, Va.