Charles Parker, a resident at Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City, departed this life on October 11, 2025 of complications from several chronic health difficulties.
Charles was born in Centreville to Charles Harold and Annie Bell (Price) Parker and was close to his extended family in the area, especially his paternal grandparents, Charles Isaac and Minnie (Caffey) Parker. When Charles was a teenager, his mother married Rushen R. Roberson and his family moved to Childersburg. He graduated from Childersburg High School in 1952, served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956, and married Dolores Parrett Parker of Sylacauga in 1957. They were married for 66 years, raised two children, and lived in Childersburg for most of their lives.
Charles is survived by his and Dolores’ children, Mandy and Hal, their daughter-in- law Jean, their grandchild Andrew, his wife Sandra, and his great granddaughter Charlotte, his brother Randy Roberson, his five nephews, Larry Lyda, Chris Lyda, Robby Roberson, Neal Walker, and Mark Jackson.
Known as “Charlie” by friends, he worked in the paper mill at Kimberly Clark for over thirty years, taking early retirement in 1989. He was a conscientious and dependable employee who worked his away up to the level of superintendent by the time of his retirement. He served as an officer in the local chapter of the United Papermakers and Paperworkers Union for several years. Charles was deeply devoted to his family; he was a beloved husband and father. A devout Christian, Charles served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher for many years at Calvary Baptist Church in Childersburg and the First Baptist Church of Sylacauga. Charles and Dolores worked extensively with Campers on Mission, an organization that constructs church buildings in rural areas across the United States. They also traveled many other places, including the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena, California, the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., Carlsbad Caverns in Carlsbad, New Mexico, St. Augustine, Florida, Israel, and many other sites. Their favorite destination was Gatlinburg, Tennessee, where they spent their honeymoon. Charles was a good friend to many people. He relished telling stories, most of which were true; he was an avid sportsman and loved to be in the woods hunting deer. He was an ardent Alabama football fan.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and sister, Ann Parker Lyda.
The family will hold private graveside services at Green Hill Memorial Gardens in Childersburg.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations be sent to Bill Nichols State Veterans Home in Alexander City.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/sylacauga-al/radney-smith-funeral-home/8516.
Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services.
