Mr. Phillip “Phil” Hughes Parker, age 71 passed away in a Raleigh hospital on March 7, 2016. He was born November 6, 1944 in Baltimore, MD, to Robert Carey Parker and Katrine Collie Parker, both deceased. He lived in Rich Square, NC during his earlier years and graduated from Rich Square High School. He married Cecelia Elizabeth “Beth” Steimle in 1971. Mr. Parker received an associate degree in Graphic Arts from Chowan College in Murfreesboro, NC. He was honorably discharged after serving four years in the US Army. After approximately twenty-five years of employment, he retired from IBM. He lived most of his adult life in the Raleigh area. He was a gardening enthusiast who ensured there would be space to garden wherever he lived. He also enjoyed traveling, watching football on TV, and especially being with family.
Survivors include his wife Cecelia S. Parker of the home, one son, Robert H. Parker and his wife Maureen of Raleigh, NC; one brother, Carey R. Parker and his wife Gail of Williamsburg, VA; one granddaughter, Emery G. Parker; one niece; one great-nephew and one great-niece.
Funeral service will be conducted on Saturday March 12, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Rich Square Baptist Church with a visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. The interment with military honors will follow at the Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Rich Square, NC.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Rich Square Baptist Church, PO Box 589, Rich Square, NC 27869 or favorite charity.
Dear Beth, I just learned of Phils passing and I was so sorry. I really thought the world of Phil. I thought he a was a really great guy who loved you and Hugh with all his heart. He will be missed by so many who knew him.
With my deepest sympathy and Love to you and Hugh. Sincerely , Buddy Andrews
My sympathies go out to Beth, Hugh, and all the rest of Phil’s family. Phil was a true friend to me for about twenty-five years, and I am truly going to miss him. I had worked briefly at IBM and seen Phil there but didn’t get to know him until a couple of years later when we both were working at Hunter Industries in Cary. We had third shift jobs, and there were only a handful of us running the molding plant at night, so there was ample time to talk and we talked about everything from politics (which we generally didn’t agree on) to football. But we especially liked talking about all the beautiful places we had been and wanted to visit. I think those talks helped inspire me to go to the western US to work, where I did spend several years and also met my lovely wife. Phil and I stayed in close touch as I moved around the country for college and work, and I always made a point to see him and Beth whenever I could get back to Raleigh to visit family. Phil and Beth visited with me in Idaho before I was married, in Southern Indiana during our time there, and then in Upper Michigan a couple of years ago. I was looking forward to seeing him this summer again up here by Lake Superior. Phil really loved it here in the summer. I will be thinking of him today as those in Rich Square say their goodbyes, and I will never forget my good friend Phil. May he rest in peace.