Raymond Herald Parker, Sr.

Raymond Herald Parker, Sr., 72, of Biloxi, MS died on Monday, February 28, 2011. Ray was born on October 16, 1938. He was a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast. As a young man, Ray proudly served his country in the US Army. He was a pipefitter and welder for Local Union 568 and a member of J.L. Power Masonic Lodge #416 in Perkinston. Ray loved the outdoors, racing boats, fishing and the "Victoria Rose", his prize pleasure boat. He had a great love for life and will live on in all who knew him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Victoria Parker; brother, James Parker; sisters, Mary Louis LaBlanche; Betty LaPalmor, Audry Fowler, Geraldine Halouler, Anna Hubert and Joan Catherine Ahern. Ray is survived by his wife of 53 years, Patricia Parker; son, Raymond (Carolyn) Parker, Jr.; daughters, Tylah (James) Montgomery and Crystal (Danny) Davis; sisters, Margaret Simmons, Deloris Landry; brothers, M.H. Parker and Curtis Parker, Jr.; nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, Biloxi with a prayer service beginning at 6:00 p.m.