March 9, 2012. LUTHER AND MARGARET PARKER FAMILY
From the Heritage Of Currituck County 1670-1985
Article written by Virginia Mansfield and Colonna Folkes Parker
Luther James Parker was born April 30, 1883 at Corolla, NC., died August 23, 1978 and buried in the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Creeds, Virginia, besides his wife Margaret Elizabeth Mansfield (Maggie), born April 23, 1884, died August15, 1932. Brother, Colin R. Parker (not married). Sisters, Luna Elizabeth Parker (married) James Garrington, Annie B. Parker (married) John Ledbetter, Leliah Hall Parker (died at infancy).
Luther’s father (Rodolph Parker) died when he was fourteen, consequently he and his mother Elizabeth Wilson Jackson Parker took on the responsibility of supporting the family. He was an apt huntsman and earned a living by hunting ducks, which was a way of life at that time. On the 22nd of December 1904 Luther married and moved to Bells island, North Carolina where he served as an experienced guide in Currituck Co, N.C. He is mentioned “as a noted hunter," in the book, “The Outlaw Gunner", by Harry M. Walsh and “American Bird Decoys", by William F. Mackey, Jr. In later years Luther was considered bird’s best friend, caring for the injured.
Later, Luther and Maggie moved to Gregory, N.C. where Luther became an apt farmer, then in 1919 they moved to Creeds, Va. Where he owned a grocery store & during this time helped families in need. Around 1928 they moved to Norfolk, Va. and after his wife died, Luther retired from Taylor Oil Co. and moved to Knotts Island, N.C., where he lived out the rest of his ninety-five years.
Luther James Parker and Margaret Elizabeth Mansfield Parker had seven children. Zelma Bland Parker was born at Bell`s island, N.C., January 4, 1906. As a young girl she had a great interest in horses. Later Zelma became an acknowledged expert in horticulture. She is a member and on the board of Norfolk Botanical Garden Society, in Norfolk, Va., and there she is honored by a bronze plaque. She married Malcolm Kirt Crockett, born October 13, 1900 and died February 1, 1981. Zelma and Malcolm have two sons; Malcolm Crockett Jr., married to Garnett Marie Commander, children are; Michael Kirk Crockett, Leslie Crockett and Kelly Reid Crockett. Second son, Luther Parker Crockett married Barbara June Redmon, now living on Knotts Island. Children, Carol Lynn Crockett and Marsha Gale Crockett.
Elwood Belmont Parker was born on Bells Island, NC on December 17, 1907. Richard Rodolph Parker born November 30, 1909. Died in 1974.
Walter Findel Parker (Jack) born February 5, 1914. In 1942 Jack and his partner Edgar Wynn brought Lum’s Hardware which Mr. Lum started in 1898, They were responsible for opening 4 Lum’s Hardware stores, located on Park Ave., Virginia Beach Blvd., Wilson Road and Laskin Road. Jack is now retired from his business and spends much of his time on his farmland located on Knotts Island, N.C. Jack married Mary Elizabeth Whitley and have one child, Walter James Parker, married Lucille Margaret Pecock, child; Adrian Parker.
Sanford Melrose Parker born 7, 1911. Died March 31, 1974. Harvey Stone Parker born Creeds, VA on April 16, 1920. Margaret Elizabeth Parker died in 1927 at the age of six months.
