A memorial service for John Lang Parker, 88, of Greenville will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Boone Funeral Home in Greenville. A visitation will be held from Noon until service time. He died on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Delta Health-The Medical Center.
John was born in Meridian, MS on June 20, 1936 to James Luther Parker and Virgie Dell Parker. He was the youngest of 3 children.
He graduated from Ponta High School in Lauderdale County, MS in 1955. He was an athlete playing baseball and basketball. He still holds the record of most points (55) scored in a basketball game. He also attended Scooba Junior College
John married Lydia Dell Jones in Marion, MS in 1957. He was a retired building material sales representative working for Delta Building Material, Greenville, YD Lumber in Belzoni, MS and Spartan Building Supply in Meridian, MS.
He loved watching sports and was an avid Ole Miss and Braves fan, but his best time was being able to see his grandchildren compete in their sports activities, including baseball, basketball, football, track and cheerleading. He and Lydia would travel anywhere, no matter the distance, to watch their grandchildren’s sports.
John was a family man and loved being around his children, 5 grandchildren, and 6 great grandchildren. He would ask every day, if there were any new photos. He was called Papaw and PopPop.
John was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, James Parker. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Lydia, and his sons, Keith (LeAnne) Parker, and Kerry (Michelle) Parker; grandchildren, Brett (Ellie) Parker, Tyler (Mary Margaret) Parker, and Conner (Emily) Parker, Abbie Parker (Davin Hetts) and Riley Parker; and great-grandchildren, Annie Parker, Emma Parker, Kameron Hetts, Carter Parker, LeAnna Parker, and Cooper Parker; sister, Peggy Sokolowski; sisters-in-law, Ann Dean, Margaret Trest and Pam Jones, and many nieces and nephews.
A Baptist by faith, he attended First Baptist Church in Leland, MS. He loved the Lord and told his family a few days before he passed that he was going to see his Master and going to meet Jesus Christ.