By By Lisa Tindell
Curtis Ray Parker will long be remembered for his role as an educator in the Escambia County School System and the love he had for fellow educators and students.
Parker, who died Monday, retired from the Escambia County School System with more than 39 years of service, served as the superintendent of education for the system from 1993 to 1998.
Current superintendent Billy Hines said Parker was a man of vast knowledge and will be remembered for many reasons.
Suzanne Barnett, coordinator for special education for Escambia County Schools, said Parker has influenced her in the position he had held many years before her.
Hines said Parker’s work as superintendent of education for the county is one that has benefited students and faculty in the county for many years.
Barnett said Parker’s presence in the schools throughout the county is one that will be greatly missed.
Hines said Parker’s nearly 40 years in the system gave him the opportunity to work in a wide range of offices and positions.
Parker was a native and resident of East Brewton where he served as a deacon of the East Brewton First Baptist Church and was a member of the State of Alabama Retired Teachers Association. He is survived by his wife, Sara V. Parker of East Brewton, two sisters, Janet Cheatham of Pensacola, Fla., and Alice Virginia Platt of Tallahassee, Fla., and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marla Kay Parker, and his parents, Seals and Bertha Parker.
Services for Parker are scheduled for 2 p.m. today at East Brewton First Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Watts officiating. Burial will be in Fort Crawford Cemetery.