Alfred Carlyle Parker's Obituary
Alfred Carlyle Parker, 96, passed away peacefully at his residence at The Pointe at Kirby Gate Assisted Living facility on May 31, 2018. Called “Alfred” by his immediate family, “Parker” by many, and “Al” by some; he was most affectionately known as “Buppy”, so dubbed by his eldest grandson who adored his special “buddy” but couldn’t quite say Buddy correctly as a baby. It came out as Buppy and Buppy it was from then on. Buppy was born on May 26, 1922 in Clinton, NC to Mamie (Williams) and Paul Parker, the second eldest of seven children. After graduation from Clinton High School, Buppy attended NC State University in Raleigh, NC before transferring to The Apprentice School in Newport News, VA. Upon graduation from The Apprentice School, Buppy joined the US Navy where he remained stationed in Newport News. It was there that he met and married Josephine Taylor Smith on May 9, 1944. After World War II ended, the couple located to Greensboro, NC where Buppy worked for Monarch Elevator Company. Monarch was sold to Dover Elevator Company in the 1960’s. Buppy transitioned to Dover and there he would stay until his retirement many years later. In January 1981, Buppy was named Vice President and General Manager of Dover and the couple moved to Germantown, TN. The home office of Dover in Horn Lake, MS was in close proximity. Buppy retired from Dover effective January 1, 1987. He enjoyed his retirement, playing golf several days each week at Colonial Country Club in Cordova, TN and rounding out each day there with some spirited games of gin rummy. Buppy affectionately referred to his group of golfing and rummy buddies as “the bug boys”. This is because several were Terminix retirees. Upon Buppy’s arrival at The Pointe at Kirby Gate Assisted Living facility in April 2013, he was an active and involved resident for several years, often leading a group of other residents in Saturday morning exercises. He was named Resident of the Year in 2015. The family is forever indebted to The Pointe for making Buppy’s last years such enjoyable ones, for loving him, and for taking care of him during these last two difficult years. Heartfelt appreciation is also extended to Compassus Hospice for being our “angels” here on earth. Buppy was preceded in death by his wife, parents, two sisters, Pauline Butler and Grey Pack, and one brother, Clifford Parker. He is survived by his daughter, Anne Justice, of Memphis, TN; grandson, Will (Brooke) Justice of Memphis, TN; grandson, Zach (Laura) Justice of Germantown, TN; two great grandsons, Carlyle and Parker Justice of Memphis, TN; one great granddaughter, Josephine Anne Justice of Germantown, TN; two sisters, Joyce Crumpler and Judith Powell, both of Clinton, NC; one brother, Jimmy Parker of Springfield, VA; and many nieces and nephews. Special recognition also goes to Buppy’s dearest friend of approximately 70 years, Warren Bass of Greensboro, NC. Visitation will be on Tuesday, June 5, 2018 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at Memorial Park Funeral Home located at 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. A graveside service and burial will be on Friday, June 8, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Westminster Gardens Cemetery at 3601 Whitehurst Road, Greensboro, NC, 27410. Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, North Elm Chapel, will be assisting with this service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington Street, Suite 200, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481 or at [email protected].
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