Maurice Stafford Parker

Maurice (Taft) Stafford Parker of Kinston, 79, passed away Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at his home.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Milton S. and Mertie Parker; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Tommie and Junie Hawkins; brothers-in-law, Thomas (Cricket) Hawkins, Billy Hawkins, Ronald Bruce Hawkins, Tom Pitts, Charles Hill, and Eddie Tompkins and stepchildren, James Ellis and Tonya Ellis.

Taft was an industrial engineer, a job he enjoyed tremendously.  He began his career as an engineer with Miliken, Fruit of the Loom, Onieta Industries and completed his career with Excell Home Fashions, Goldsboro, March 2016.

Taft was a member of the Kinston Church of Christ.  He was a loving husband, friend and father.  He will be missed more than any words could ever express.

He is survived by his wife Mary Hawkins Parker of the home; sons, Maurice (Marty) Parker and wife Pattie, Robby Dale Parker, both of South Carolina, Rodney Parker of Nebraska;  granddaughters, Maurica Parker and Briana Parker of South Carolina and Cheyenne Parker of Nebraska; sisters, Margie Newby and husband, Bill,  Martha Pitts,  Jackie Hill all of Trenton, GA, Peggy Tompkins of Lake City, FL; brother, Bud Parker and wife, Ginger of Lake City, FL; and brothers-in-law, Donald Hawkins and wife, Sue, Douglas Hawkins and wife, Hilda , Durwood Hawkins, Herman Hawkins and sisters-in-law, Bobbie Hawkins and Wanda Faye Mallard.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 26, 2022, at Howard-Carter Funeral Home with visitation to follow. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, June 27, 2022, at Pinelawn Memorial Park.  

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Kinston Church of Christ, P. O. Box 1083, Kinston, NC  28503.