Ernest Earl Parker, Jr., was an unforgettable man who touched the lives of every person with whom he came into contact. Earl spread kindness, goodness, and his love of God to all he met and formed a lasting impression of a big man with an even bigger heart. Ernest Earl Parker, Jr., died on December 1, 2022, at Piedmont Henry Hospital in Stockbridge, Georgia. Born to the late Ernest and Margaret Parker on August 28, 1970, in Decatur, Georgia, “Big” Earl (as he was known to many) had a heart of gold and never met a stranger.
After graduating from Meadow Creek Academy in 1988, Earl was honored to receive a scholarship to play football for The University of Georgia Bulldogs. This was a culmination of his lifelong dream for Earl because he had always been an outstanding athlete, not only in football, but also in baseball, basketball, track, and men’s softball. Earl’s impeccable integrity, sense of fair play, and faith in God earned him the admiration of his teammates, coaches, and fans. After his UGA graduation in 1992 with a psychology degree, he continued his education by earning a Masters’ degree in technology from Troy State and became a graduate assistant at UGA. Earl adored watching his beloved DAWGS take the field and always remained a passionate and faithful member of the DAWG Nation.
His love and support of children was the cornerstone of his life as he shared his faith in God in his life’s vocation. Earl was a probation officer for Henry County; he later became a Disciplinary Hearing Officer, Dean of Discipline, and a Public Safety Law and Justice teacher-all for the Henry County School System. Always the consummate athlete, he shared his love and athleticism with Henry County High School, Eagles’ Landing High School, Meadow Creek Academy, and multiple recreation department teams. Earl was an exceptional coach: however, he will be most remembered as a role model and mentor in lives of his players. He maximized his God-given talents of singing, making people laugh, and spreading joy to all who knew him-to reach every young person that he met. As a “Soldier of the Lord,” he brought the wayward to Jesus and the lost back into the fold. He listened to their problems and mentored to those who needed his calming presence and his understanding manner.
Earl’s faith was most evident in his work at Bethany Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, choir member, Youth Leadership Henry Board, and President of the Juvenile Court. Everyone who knew Earl felt that he/she was loved, supported, and cared for in a most devoted manner.
Ernest Earl Parker, Jr., was preceded in death by a sister, Beth Parker Leary. He is survived by his wife of twenty-three years, Melissa Kay Parker, son Ernest Earl “Eli” Parker, III, and two daughters, Ella Margaret Parker and Ensley Kate Parker. Two sisters, Betty Parker (Raymond) Patterson and Brenda Parker (Bobby) Shortt. His mother-in-law, Kay Lewis (Carl) Veasley and sister-in-law Michelle Dingler Fletcher. His nephews and nieces, James Patterson, Jared (Katie) Patterson, Brooks Fletcher, Brittany Shortt Denson, Anna Grace Heard, Olivia Grady Fletcher, and Maggie Chastain Fletcher and a host of friends and the DAWG Nation.
The world is definitely a better place because of the life of Ernest Earl Parker, Jr.; he will be sorely missed by all of the people in his family, his acquaintances, and all of the lives that he touched with his special caring. A Celebration of Life will be held Wednesday, December 7, 2022 - 3:00 pm at Bethany Baptist Church in McDonough. Friends may visit the family Wednesday from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm prior to the service.
The family requests that attendees dress in red and black or Georgia Bulldog attire.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the “Big Earl Memorial Fund at all Heritage bank locations. http://,www.heritagebank.com/.
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