Forrest Bailey Parker, Jr. was born January 13, 1950 at Brewer Hospital to the late Louise (Miller) and Forrest Bailey Parker, Sr. He died on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017 at Greenwood Rehabilitation Hospital.
African American in heritage, Parker at an early age he showed a love for sports of all types. The huge lot next to his house on Pearl Street became the daily football or baseball field for all the boys in the neighborhood. One of their favorite games, invented by them, was Put-Back Football. Forrest also played organized sports at Seaboard Recreation Center. He was a catcher on several Little League teams.
He attended the Greenwood public schools through 9th grade. He graduated from Boylan-Haven Mather Academy in Camden, South Carolina where he played basketball and trumpet in the band. He entered the University of South Carolina where he received a degree in Physical Education, played in the Gamecock Band and joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. He later received a Masters in Educational Administration and Supervision from Clemson University.
His first job out of college was as a Physical Education teacher and boys’ basketball coach. He developed several winning teams at Emerald Junior High. He also worked along with his father at his various businesses starting at ten years old in the pool hall. He became full-time proprietor of Cokesbury Hills Golf Club in Hodges, South Carolina, when his father decided to retire. Cokesbury Hills Golf Club was designed by his father, Forrest Parker Sr. The course features 1,955 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 30. Cokesbury Hills golf course opened in 1962. His work life was devoted to the two sports he loved—golf and basketball.
He met the love of his life, Loretta Wright, when she came to Cokesbury to visit her Aunt Lillie Sweat after her graduation from college. Forrest and Loretta married April 9, 1977. God blessed this blissful union with two children—Crystal Delois Mays (LaShon) and Christopher Forrest (Jessica). They are grandparents of three–Ava, Austin and Caylee.
Forrest was a lifelong member of Tabernacle Baptist Church having joined as a child. At the time of his death he served as a Trustee. He had been a member of the Young Adult Choir and sang in the Men’s Choir. He was also a member of the Greenwood School District #50 Board of Education for several years, he was a charter member of the Greenwood Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., a member of the Greenwood Scramblers Golf Club and the Greenwood Investment Club.
Besides his wife, children, son-in-law and daughter-in-law, he leaves to mourn his passing two sisters—Marion Jean Khan of Tempe, AZ and Mary Susan Wheeler of Fleming Island, FL (Edward), an Aunt—Mrs. Wynetta C. Miller of Hodges, SC; six first cousins—Eunice Sykes (Don), Furman Miller (Janette), Marilyn Woodruff (Willie), Deevid Miller (Clorinde), James Miller (Lana) and Roy Miller, Jr ; his father-in- law, Robert Wright of Detroit, MI; In-laws Patricia Wright, Phyllis and LeRoy Berry, Curtis and Saundra Wright; a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be held 11:00am Tuesday, January 17, 2017
at Tabernacle Baptist Church with Rev. John C. Aiken officiating . Burial will follow in Evening Star Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be the Greenwood Scramblers Golf Club. Flower bearers will be ladies of Brewer High School Class of 1968. Honorary Escorts will be members of Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity and Trustees
Mr. Parker will be placed in the church at 10:00 am
The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 6-7:30pm.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.percvialtompkinsfh.com or via emailpercivaltompkins@centurylink.net Percival Tompkins Funeral Home is honored to serve the Parker family.
