James Everette Parker was born May 13, 1933, in Homeville, Virginia, and relocated with his family to Waverly, Virginia in 1937.  James was the oldest of six children born to Pearl Cargill and Joseph E. Parker.  Both parents preceded him in death.

James attended Sussex County Training School, after which he served as a paratrooper with the 11 ^th Airborne Division in the Korean War from 1953 to 1955.  After completing his military service James returned to Waverly, Virginia.

He married Barbara Brown on Christmas Eve of 1961; she preceded him in death after over 50 years of marriage. James and Barbara relocated to Richmond, Virginia to start their life together.  They both loved and supported their family.  It was in that love and dedication to family that they accepted the children of one of Barbara's deceased sisters into their home and raised them as their own.

James was employed by Virginia Haulings as a long-distance truck driver for 20 years after which he decided to go into business for himself from 1974 to 1989. As such he was a member of the Independent Haulers Association.  In addition, he was a long-time member of the American Legion.

James loved traveling the country in his big rig and regaled family and friends with his tales of what life was like on the road and all the interesting people he got to meet on his travels.  As Barbara was surely his first love, trucking was surely his second love.  They both enjoyed traveling and at times Barbara would happily accompany him on the road during the summer.

James was a member of the Liberty Baptist Church in Wavery, Virginia where he was baptized at the age of seven and continued his membership there for many years.  He served as Chairman of the Deacon Board for over 20 years and faithfully supported his pastor Rev. Alston (now deceased) during that time.  In later years as his health declined and making that Sunday drive to Waverly became challenging; he would attend services with Barbara in Richmond where they lived.

James Everette Parker departed this life on July 6, 2020, after a brief illness at the Parham Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.  He fought the good fight, he finished his race, he kept the faith.  And finally, there is laid up for him a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the Righteous Judge gives on that great Day.

He leaves behind family and friends that will miss him dearly as follows:  sister Patricia P. Hill of Los Angeles, CA, Pearlie P. Thomas (deceased), Mary P. Brown (deceased) and brothers Joseph Parker, Jr. of Waverly, VA, and Harris Parker (deceased), Sister-in-law Gwen Davis of Windsor, VA; nieces Cordelia Carver, Leishia Parker, Stephanie Whiting, Michelle Parker, Marietta Myrick, and Geraldine Coleman; nephews: Anthony Brown, Warren Parker, Arthur Brown, Oliver Coleman and a special acknowledgment to his nephew Larry Coleman and his wife Silas who stood in the gap as caregivers as James' ability to be independent diminished and his health declined, as well as great-nieces and nephews, cousins and other family members.  Thank you, Robert Jordan, and Harold Jones, for being a long time, loyal friends.

Public viewing will be 10:00am - 5:00pm, Friday, July 10, 2020, at Peace Funeral Home, Waverly, VA.

Graveside Celebration will be Saturday, July 11, 2020, at 12:30pm at Waverly Cemetery, Spring Branch Road, Waverly, VA.