Obituaries: David Parker, Jr., 1969, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: April 17, 1969 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American

Youth Drowns In Attempt To Save Younger Brother

A 14 year old Negro youth was drowned in Port de Luce bar pit Sunday
afternoon, while attempting to save the life of his 13 year old brother.  The
body of David Parker, Jr., was recovered by the Winn Parish Sheriff's
Department with rescue equipment about two hours after the mishap.

The brother he was attempting to save, 13 year old John Ray Parker, was
able to get out of the backwater, but his brother apparently was caught in the
undercurrent.  The Parker brothers, were crawfishing with two other brothers,
Michael Alexander, 14, and Vernon Ray Alexander, 13, when John Ray Parker
decided to swim.  They were at a bar pit on Port de Luce near the ICC
Railroad, between Winnfield and Joyce.  All four boys are students at
Pinecrest School.

Young Parker is survived by his mother, Katie Mae Ellis; his brother, John Ray
Parker, of Winnfield; two half-brothers, Albert Thatcher and John Thatcher, of
Mississippi; a sister, Betty Ann Parker of Winnfield; and a grandmother,
Estella Ellis of Mississippi.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the Pilgrim Rest
Baptist Church in T & G Addition, Ed Hampton officiating, under direction of
Ben Johnson Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Mississippi.