On February 24, 2022, a final call of duty went out to Stanley W. Parker Jr., “You’ve fought a good fight, you’ve stayed the course, now it’s time to go home and get your reward.” Stanley was born on June 8, 1969 in Hartford, Connecticut . He returned to Virginia when he was 3 months old. Stanley loved to sing and dedicated his life to Christ at the very young age of seven. Once his Aunt Pam heard him sing, she knew that God had given him a very special gift. He used that gift as a way of making others feel better by telling them about God. Some are called to preach, others to sing.
Stanley used this gift as the lead singer of All God’s Children for many years until he went to serve in the military. Even while in the military, he also sang in the military choir. Stanley served in the U.S. Army National Guard in the Field Artillery Branch and the U.S. Navy as a Petty Officer 3rd Class Electrician Mate. Upon returning home from the military, he and his friend T.J started a choir at New Fellowship Deliverance Church, previously known as Fellowship Baptist Church. He later joined the singing group Elite.
In 1996, Stanley began working at the United States Post Office. Woo Woo, a name given to him by his colleagues, would sing on the job, in the parking lot, any where someone needed their heart lifted. He loved the songs of Fred Hammond and taught them to the DC Christ Choir, which was later known as On One Accord. Stanley loved singing the gospel and rooting for the Dallas Cowboy’s.
Later in life, he then became a member of the Deep Creek Disciples of Christ in Chesapeake. Stanley slowed down as his health started to fail, but he still attended church until May of 2021. His voice will be greatly missed. We can still hear him saying, “Stay on your note. Bring it up or take it down one note.” There are many people that Stanley helped along the way. Too many to name, known and unknown, but they know who they are.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Ann Cuffee Lyons and father, Stanley W. Parker Sr. He leaves to mourn his passing three children; Stanisha Thompson ( Sherri), of South Carolina, Starena Anthony ( Deon) and Stanley A Parker III of Portsmouth. Two sisters, Selena Palmer of Williamsburg and Felicia Parker Gillespie ( James) of Connecticut. Three brothers, Dennis Parker of Connecticut, James Boyd ( Dana) of Texas, and Anthony Jackson (Nicole) of VA Beach, whom Stanley loved so much that he gave his son his middle name.
Two grandchildren, Elenah and Elizah Anthony, both of Portsmouth. Six aunts; Lillian Parker and Mildred Singleton both of Connecticut, Pamela C. Boyd ( Walter), Irene Cuffee, Lorraine C. Pierce, of Chesapeake and Eloise C. Smith of Portsmouth, Patricia Williams of Goldberg, NC. Three uncles; Brian Cuffee of Norfolk, Darryl Cuffee and Willie Jones of Portsmouth. One Godmother; Joan Richardson of Portsmouth and a host of family and friends.
In my eyes mind, I heard David the song writer say “ I need some help,” and the father say “Have you considered my son, Stanley. ”
I know Stanley’s happy! Singing and trying to direct God’s heavenly choir. Sing on, Stanley. Sing until your heart’s content. We’ve lost a loved one, but God’s gain is worth the loss!
