Thurman L. Parker, 86, of Richmond (native of Suffolk), went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2016. He was a retired Army Sergeant 1st Class and a retired Woodville Elementary School teacher, Richmond. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Delores DeLoatch Parker; three daughters, Valerie, Karon and Sharon Parker; grandson, Marcus J. Parker (all of Richmond); brother, Lloyd Parker Sr., (Bowie, Md.); sisters-in-law: Virginia Parker (Suffolk), Dr. Vasti DeLoatch (Richmond), and Essie Mae Riddick DeLoatch (Suffolk); and numerous nieces and nephews, devoted Dr. Cheryl DeLoatch Frierson (Morgan Thomas), of Richmond and Marcella Yvette Parker (Suffolk); his Edgehill Chamberlayne Court Civic Association family (which he served as an officer for many years and assisted with the annual City of Richmond Clean Up Day for his neighborhood); and beloved pet dogs, Max and Foxy Roxy.

A celebration of life will be held at Crocker Funeral Home, 900 E. Washington St., Suffolk, VA 23434, Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, at 1 p.m. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk. A January 2017 memorial service is being planned for Richmond. Condolences to the Parker family may be extended to www.crockerfuneralhome.com. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.