Ernest Franklin Parker, Sr.

March 8, 1925 – April 26, 2020

Mr. Ernest Franklin Parker, Sr., 95, of Winston-Salem, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 26, 2020, surrounded by his family.  Mr. Parker was born on March 8, 1925 in Forsyth County to Curtis and Sadie Parker.  He grew up in Winston-Salem, attending Mineral Springs and Hanes High Schools.  Mr. Parker served in the US Army Air Corps during World War II as a radio operator and waist gunner on a B-17 bomber with the 336th squadron, 95th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force, flying 33 missions over Germany and other occupied areas of Europe. 

At the end of the war, Mr. Parker returned to Winston-Salem and his wife, Polly.  They soon started a family and Mr. Parker established a fresh pie bakery in Winston-Salem, Parker Pie Company.  Over the years, the bakery grew and transitioned to ready-to-bake frozen pies, frozen fruit production and general food distribution.  Mr. Parker contributed heavily to the development of the fruit and agriculture industry in North Carolina, as a pioneer in frozen food production in the state, and in the development of the apple, sweet potato, and blueberry industries.  Among his innovations were the joint development of sweet potato fries with the NC State Food Science Department, a fruit impregnation process and being the first to develop and market frozen pie shells. 

Mr. Parker was a dedicated Mason for most of his life and actively participated in the Masonic Lodge of Clemmons, North Carolina until age and health interfered.  He served the lodge previously as the Lodge Master and contributed the land and substantial time and financial support for the construction of the present lodge building.  In the latter years of his life after the death of his beloved wife, Polly, in 2015, Mr. Parker lived at Bermuda Village Retirement Home in Davie County, where he developed many close friendships.  He remained dedicated to his family throughout his life. 

Mr. Parker is survived by his daughter, Diane Parker Wright and husband, Ray; son, Ernest Parker, Jr.; 6 grandchildren, Kevin Wright, Shannon Santee Kelly, Allison Graham, Ryan Parker, Elysha Strickland, and Sally Parker Nobling; 13 great-grandchildren, Morgan Wright, Ashleigh Wright, Taylor Wright, Connor Santee, Grayson Santee, Stella Graham, Joseph Graham, Iella Parker, Isaac Parker, Clay Lavasseur, Ethan Collins, Holden Blackburn, Grayson Blackburn and step-great-grandson, Chandler Kelly.  Mr. Parker was expecting his 14th great-grandchild, Parker Ann Nobling in August. 

A private graveside service will be held.  A public memorial service will be held at a later date.  The family requests that donations be made to the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, 175 Bourne Ave., Pooler, Georgia 31322.  Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel is assisting the family of Mr. Parker.  

Obituary from Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home www.hayworth-miller.com

The photo was taken during the reunion in Savannah, November 2020