Charlene Blackmon Parker

It was once said, “God gives His strongest battles to His bravest soldiers. One who will fight, continue to fight and yes-fight to the finish”. This soldier, born in Lancaster County; on July 23rd, 1957 was none other than Annie Charlene Parker. But on the 17thof October, this soldier, laid down her battleax and sword, took up her cross, marched to victory; to fight no more.  

Charlene was a 1974 graduate of Lancaster High School; she completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting at South Carolina State University; May, 1978. With her skills in numbers, math, and statistics, she worked at Kanawa Insurance. Later she became an Office Registrar receptionist at Winthrop College, Rock Hill, SC. There, she retired due to health challenges.  

As a young child, she spent her early Christian life at First Washington Baptist Church, Lancaster, SC. In her adult life, she married and moved to Rock Hill, SC; there, she became a member at Mt. Prospect Baptist Church; and later in life, she moved her membership to Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Lancaster, SC.  

All her life, Charlene was always connecting and making friends. With her charisma, a heart of gold and with her love for God, she was a giver. She would give her last to anyone who would ask.  

With her kind heart, she never met a stranger. She would draw crowds of friends in her front yard to braid hair, sew garments, and play a game of spades. She was very out-going, out-spoken; and just love people!!  

Charlene also shared her gift of music; playing the piano, flute, and clarinet. Later her musical skills afforded her a scholarship; and she became a lead flute player on the Marching 101 band at South Carolina State University. (1974-78). There, she also joined a business sorority in the spring of 1976, named; Iota Phi Lamda.  

Whatever Charlene did, she did it with excellence, pride, and joy. From friends, to classmates, to neighbors, to co-workers, to family; her love continued to grow. You could visit Charlene on any given day, and her response will always be... “I love you.” It was a testament of God’s love she had in her heart; and it was evident among her children, siblings, cousins, nieces, and nephews. That aroma of love that radiated from her, will truly and sadly be missed.  

She leaves to mourn; her only daughter, April Charlene Parker, Savannah Georgia; Her siblings, Krystal Hunsaker, Pt. Hueneme, California; Racarda (Sharon) Blackmon-Lancaster, SC; Denise Harrison, Irmo, SC; Andre (Jackie) Blackmon, Lancaster, SC; Sheila Blackmon, Neal, Lancaster, SC; Ada-Tina (Gloria) Blackmon, Lancaster, SC; Heath (Pamela) Blackmon, Columbia, SC; LaShawn (John) B. Drakeford, Lancaster, SC, sister-in-law, Priscilla Blackmon, Lancaster, SC and a host of nieces and nephews; too numerous to list.  

Love ones who preceded her in death are her parents; Rev. Preston & Wilma Blackmon; her son, Cye “Dribble” Parker IV; and her two brothers, Laritz and Derral Blackmon.  

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