John Eric Parker

“When I’ve gone the last mile of the way”

PDDGM Deacon John Eric “The Governor” Parker was born on September 7, 1968, in Swainsboro to Otis Williams, Jr. and Mattie Mae Parker. He was preceded in death by his father.

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, Georgia, Mrs. Millie Moore and obtained his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics graduating from Georgia Southern University, May 1994. And thus, John taught Math for over 20 years to a plethora of students.

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 12:46pm PDDGM John Eric Parker completed his earthly mission following an extended illness at the St. Joseph/Candler hospital in Savannah, Georgia. In addition to 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, Georgia; brothers; Michael E. Parker of Fairburn, Ga. Milton T. Graham (Debby) of Wadley, Ga, Mr. Charlie Clark, and Mr. Herbert Artis of Swainsboro, Ga., Mr. Herman (Martha) Murphy of Augusta, Georgia; Mr. Andre Jackson of Canoochee, Georgia, and Mr. Charles Riddles of Jacksonville, Florida, sisters, Rosalind M Harris of Fort Valley, Georgia, surrogate sister Ms. Zenobia F. Andrews of Swainsboro, Georgia and Ms. Cherry Ann Murphy-Sweet of Augusta, Georgia, and a very special cousin Bettye Doyle of Twin City, Georgia; uncles, Dea. Ralph (Lutricia) Parker, Sr., Dea. Johnny Lee Parker, and Mr. Fletcher (Sadie) Nobles of Swainsboro, Georgia, aunts; Mary M. Parker and Christine Parker of Swainsboro, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, surrogate nieces, nephews, other relatives and sorrowing friends.

Final arrangements for our brother; PDDGM Deacon John Eric Parker “The Governor” will be Saturday, June 8, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Swainsboro Auditorium (532 West Church Street, Swainsboro, GA).  Repass will be held at The 4-H Clubhouse (129 North Anderson Drive, Swainsboro, GA).

Interment will follow at Swainsboro City Cemetery.

Pallbearers are members of St. Phillips Lodge #96 and New Hope Lodge #115.

Honorary pallbearers are Deacons of Greater St. James Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends Friday, June 7, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.

Please send condolence cards to John E. Parker’s Family, P. O. Box 1052, Swainsboro, GA 30401.

Condolences may be expressed at www.chapmanfhofswainsboro.com.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for PDDGM John Eric “The Governor” Parker, 55, of Swainsboro.