On Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 12:46 p.m., PDDGM John Eric Parker completed his earthly mission following an extended illness at the St. Joseph/Candler hospital in Savannah. Final arrangements for our brother, PDDGM Deacon John Eric Parker “The Governor”, were held Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 2 p.m. at the Swainsboro Auditorium. Repass was held at the 4-H Clubhouse. Interment followed at the Swainsboro City Cemetery. The family received friends Friday, June 7, from 12 to 7 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were members of St. Phillips Lodge #96 and New Hope Lodge #115. Honorary pallbearers were Deacons of Greater St. James Baptist Church.
PDDGM Deacon John Eric “The Governor” Parker was born on September 7, 1968, in Swainsboro, to Otis Williams, Jr. and Mattie Mae Parker. John accepted Christ at an early age and joined the Greater Saint James Missionary Baptist Church in Swainsboro, GA where he was an ordained Deacon August 1999. John was anointed in countless areas.
*Secretary, Saint Philip Lodge #96. P.H.A. (Dec. 2003- June 1, 2024)
*Grand Assistant Treasurer, Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge, Jurisdiction of Georgia, F & AM, PHA (Sept. 2014-June 1, 2024
*Grand Inspectors General, Thirty-Third Degree Scottish Rite Masonry (Oct.2012-June 1, 2024
*Grand Treasurer, GA Council of Deliberation (March 2016-June 1, 2024
*Member, the Emanuel County NAACP (Sept. 2017 -June 1, 2024)
*Treasurer, the Louisville Masonic District No. 22 (March 2023-June 1, 2024
*Member of the Georgia Mathematics Teachers Association (Aug. 2017- July 2019)
*Chairman, Emanuel County Black Elected Officials (Mar 2012-Jan 2014)
*Area Coordinator, Swainsboro Consistory #317, Scottish Rite Masonry (March 2012-Dec. 2022)
*Emanuel County Parks and Recreation Commissioner, City o Swainsboro (Jan. 2016-Dec.2019)
*Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Swainsboro (Jan. 2010-Dec. 2010)
*Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Swainsboro (Jan. 2016-Dec. 2016)
*Public Works and Recycling Commissioner, City of Swainsboro (Jan. 2011-Dec. 2015)
*Evans County Family Connections, Executive Board Member, Evans, GA (Jan. 2012-Oct. 2014)
*Fire Commissioner, Swainsboro Fire Department (Jan. 2005-Dec. 2010)
Lastly, John served the City of Swainsboro and the State of Georgia as:
*City Councilman, Swainsboro City Council (Nov. 2005-June 1, 2024
*Member, the Professional Association Administration (Jan 2022-June 1, 2024
*Committee Member, City of Swainsboro Administration (Jan.2022-June 1, 2024
*Member, CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority, Inc. (Nov. 2023- June 1, 2024
John followed his passion for Math that he gained from his high school teacher in Swainsboro, Mrs. Millie Moore, and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics graduating from Georgia Southern University in May 1994. And thus, John taught Math for over 20 years to a plethora of students. Mr. Parker is preceded in death by his father, Otis Williams; surrogate grandmother, Minnie Bell Shoemake-Stephens-Tiller; grandparents, Sam and Mary Lou Parker, Otis Lee Williams, Sr. and Mrs. Twillie Walker; loving aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, and brothers-in-law.
John leaves a legacy of cherished and loving memories to his mother, Mattie Mae Parker of Swainsboro; brothers, Michael E. Parker of Fairburn, Milton T. Graham (Debby) of Wadley, Charlie Clark and Herbert Artis, both of Swainsboro, Herman (Martha) Murphy of Augusta, Andre Jackson of Canoochee, and Charles Riddles of Jacksonville, Florida; sisters, Rosalind M. Harris of Fort Valley; surrogate sister, Zenobia F. Andrews of Swainsboro and Cherry Ann Murphy-Sweet of Augusta; very special cousin, Bettye Doyle of Twin City; uncles, Dea. Ralph (Lutricia) Parker, Sr., Dea. Johnny Lee Parke, and Fletcher (Sadie) Nobles, all of Swainsboro; aunts; Mary M. Parker and Christine Parker, both of Swainsboro; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, surrogate nieces, nephews, other relatives and sorrowing friends.
“When I’ve gone the last mile of the way”
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.
