Rev. Currie Franklin Parker, Sr., 86, of Little River, SC, received his complete healing on Tuesday, September 17, 2024.

Born in the Mill Village of Cumberland, NC, on February 5, 1938, he was the son of the late Rev. James Franklin Parker and Annie Currie Thompson Parker. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, James Sherrill Parker, whom he finally met for the first time upon his passing.

He graduated Salutatorian from Hope Mills High School and earned a full academic scholarship to the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill.

Currie was an Ordained Bishop in the Church of God, pastoring the following North Carolina Churches of God: Elizabethtown, Bonnie Doone (Fayetteville, Antioch), Jonesville, East Durham, Carthage, Hayesville, Whiteville, East Fayetteville (Sapona Rd.), Hillsborough, and Erwin.

He was appointed and honored to serve on the following Boards, Committees, and positions within the Church of God of North Carolina: District Youth Director, District Overseer, Eastern North Carolina State Photographer, Home for Children Board, Exhorters and Licenses Testing Board, Ordained Bishop Testing Board, State Council, and Evangelism Board.

Currie was an avid University of North Carolina sports fan, having served 20+ years as an usher for the Tar Heels basketball team at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, NC. Always the “recruiter” for anything ‘Carolina-related,’ he assisted several fellow ministers in becoming ushers at UNC, a pipeline and lineage that remains in effect today.

More than anything, first and foremost, Currie was a preacher of the Word and pastor. He will be remembered for his tender heart, compassion, quick wit and humor, knowledge of the Word, and powerful ministry to reach lost souls for his Lord and Savior. Even in his last days and declining health, you would find him studying the Word in preparation for that “next sermon.”

Currie's mentorship of young ministers has left a profound impact. His legacy will continue through those now-matured, seasoned preachers and pastors who will be forever grateful for his teaching and leadership and point to him as the example for the foundation of their own ministries.

Surviving are his wife of 68 years, Joan Parker; son, Frankie Parker (Dora); daughter, Darlene Ward (Robert); grandchildren, Parker Terrell, Currie Terrell, and Ashley Love (Jason).

Visitation will be at Brunswick Funeral Service, Shallotte, NC, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 20, 2024, with a brief Celebration of Life and burial immediately following.