Parker

James Reed Parker, Jr. passed away peacefully on July 16 at the age of 70 in Beaufort, South Carolina due to lung cancer. Reed was born in Smithville, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Reed Parker, Sr., both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Alec O. Parker (grandparents) and Bundy and Hilda Parker Bratten (uncle and aunt, deceased) raised Reed in Smithville where he graduated from high school and later attended Tennessee Technological University.

Reed completed his degree in pharmacy in 1966 from the University of Tennessee, Memphis and became a Doctor of Pharmacy. He worked 30 years at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville. He was board certified in Total Parenteral Nutrition with high risk surgical patients in which he calculated and monitored the IV administration of all medications and nutritional needs during their post-surgery recovery. He worked closely with Assistant Director Jane Bratten and Director of Pharmacy Violet Fuson at Saint Thomas hospital, both originally from DeKalb County and both now deceased. After retiring, he worked as a relief pharmacist in several hospitals and pharmacies including Dekalb Baptist Hospital, and hospitals in other cities including Nashville, Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Casper, Wyoming, where he lived for three years.

In 1961 Reed broke a National Pleasure Boating Association record in his class, racing in the boat he and his Uncle Bundy Bratten built together. He also earned his pilot’s license in 1963. Reed enjoyed photography all of his life and at one time had a photographic studio in Nashville where he photographed several country music stars. Some of his photos became album covers for Barbara Mandrell, Billy "Crash" Craddock, Don Williams, Tommy Overstreet, Narvel Felts and others.

He is survived by his sister (cousin), Trudi Bratten Kissiah and her husband, Bill Kissiah also of Beaufort, South Carolina and their children, Lisa Kissiah Kitchens and her husband, Jeff, Sr., and their children, Jeff, Jr., Noah and Cherish, of Atlanta, Georgia; Melanie Kissiah Cumbee and her husband Collin and children, Justin and Jeremy of Tustin, California and Josh and Erika Cumbee of Los Angeles, California. Reed is also survived by other friends that he considered family, including Alison Williams of Memphis and, Lora and Alan Webb of Smithville, Regenia Lorance and her daughter Sheri Link of Portland, Tennessee.

A memorial service is scheduled for August 23 at the First Baptist Church in Smithville. Visitation will take place from 12 - 2 p.m. in the sanctuary. The service will be at 2 p.m.

DeKalb Funeral Chapel, Smithville, was in charge of the arrangements