At one-thirty o'clock on the afternoon of February 2, Gold Hill Methodist Church in Rowan County was filled to overflowing. Fellow pastors, former church members and relatives had come together to pay their final respects to Joseph Wayne Parker, stalwart soldier of Christ in the ranks of the Methodist ministry. "This is not a sad occasion," spoke one of the ministers. "To be sure, we experience the pain of separation from a loved one and friend; we know the grief of saying goodbye. But underlying our mourning, and running through this entire experience, is a theme of joy and peace. For, what has happened to our brother is not a tragedy; it is fulfillment. Having lived a noble and useful life, in the course of God's plan, he has now gone on to a larger and more complete existence. Released from the frailties of the flesh, from sickness and suffering, he has achieved a new freedom, and attained a new level of fulfillment."

After that, his earthly remains were affectionately and ceremonially taken out of the church and carried up to Connelly Springs, where his body was tenderly laid to rest in Huffman Cemetery (now Mountain View Cemetery). We commended his great spirit to further adventures in the love and service of the God and Father of us all.

His life began on December 7, 1893, in the home of Joseph Rawley and Mary Ann Josephine Rollins Parker at Candler in Buncombe County, North Carolina, when God blessed their marriage with the birth of a son, whom they promptly named Joseph Wayne Parker The boy grew up in the rugged, rural surroundings of his farm home, learning early the meaning of self-reliance and hard work. He attended the local schools of his area. His spirit grew along with his body and mind, and God called him to the ministry. In spite of difficult financial problems, he resolved to secure a college education, and from 1920 to 1924 he attended Emory University and Rutherford College, graduating from the latter institution. He worked his way through school, with the emphasis on "work." Part of the time he hauled wood and grubbed stumps.

On August 20, 1921, he was united in matrimony with Ocie Jane Shrum, who was also a student at Rutherford College, and who in later years taught school, graced the parsonage in which she lived, and carried out her portion of the ministry with great usefulness. This union was blessed with the birth of seven children, all of whom are still living. They are Mrs. Fred Harron (Lillian Marie), Springfield, MO; Foy Richard Parker, Charleston, SC; Mrs. Charles D. Furey and Mrs. Harley Bridges, both of Palmetto, SC; Mrs. Lloyd Rhine, Merritt Island, FL; Louis Wayne Parker, Kannapolis, NC; and Carl Ray Parker, Chamblee, GA.

Brother Parker joined the Western North Carolina Conference on trial in 1924, and the next years ordained Deacon. He wa admitted into full connection in 1926 and received ordination as Elder in 1928. Hw was appointed as Supply Pastor to the Robbinsville Charge in 1922, and thereafter he served faithfully and effectively the following charges; Henderson Circuit, 1924-28; Gilkey Circuit, 1928-31; Marion Mills, 1931-35; Watauga Circuit, 1935-40; Dobson Circuit, 1940-44; Fletcher, 1944-47, Connelly Springs, 1947-51; Roberta, 1951-54; Gold Hill Circuit, 1954-59; and Concord Circuit, 1959-64.

During this span of more than forty years, his life and ministry were like precious ointment poured out upon the lives of those among who he lived. He went about doing good, and doing it in a beautiful, Christ-like spirit. As he visited the sick, went in amongst the grief-stricken, or dealt with the lost, his presence became an eloquent reminder of the tender love of God, and of His nearness, Brother Parker was a spiritual giant, a faithful and devoted pastor, a dedicated preacher and a blessing to all.

His last twelve years in the ministry were served in the Salisbury District. It was during this period that he lost his first wife, Ocie Shrum Parker, who died on December 4, 1953. Two and a half years later he was married Edith Rowland Rodgers Parker, whose father, Jesse Pinkney Rodgers, had been a prominent and beloved pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference until his death in 1922. They spent eight happy and useful hears together in the pastorate. However, increasing ill health compelled Brother Parker's retirement in June, 1964. They then went to live at Gold Hill among a host of friends and former parishioners.

The next several months, until his passing on February 1, 1965, offered this soldier of the Cross an unexcelled opportunity to manifest the true meaning of faith in adversity, of courage in suffering, of fortitude in almost constant pain. He bore great affliction during those days with noble resolution and gave a glowing example of how a sati can face death. As he lived, so did he die, victorious to the last. The words of the Apostle Paul written to Timothy seem to be especially appropriate in connection with the passing of Brother Parker; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid upfor me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing." (II Timothy 4:8-9)

Mrs. Parker continues to live at Gold Hill. In a recent act of affection and appreciation, the Methodist congregation there dedicated newly-=installed pews to the memory of Brother Parker, who had served them as pastor from 1954 to 1959.

His fellow ministers held Joseph Wayne Parker in deep affection and hight respect. His utter dedication, his obvious selflessness, his transparent genuineness, exposed him to the admiration and evoked the high favor of his co-workers in the ministry. For many years to come, memory will keep vidid the image of this saintly man with the Christ-like touch. He has gone on to fairer fields, to greener pastures, but the sweet fragrance of his life will linger on. — written by JAMES C. STOKES (February, 1965)