Robert Watkins Parlier

Dr. Robert Watkins Parlier, 88, of Hopewell, died on Friday September 28, 2018. Dr. Parlier was born in Hillsborough, NC and was a lifelong educator. He served in various positions as teacher, principal, and superintendent for Public School Systems in Winston-Salem, NC, Alexandria, VA, and served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict. Dr. Parlier was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn Robert and Helen Watkins Parlier. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Garland Parlier; sons, Jeffrey G. Parlier and his wife, Amy, Bryan S. Parlier and his wife, Michele, daughter, Meredith P. Marshall; grandsons, David Parlier and wife, Skylar, Matthew Parlier, Michael Parlier, Jackson Holland, Cole Holland, Travis Honse and wife, Emily, David Honse, and Daniel Inge. Following his retirement as Superintendent of Hopewell City Schools, Dr. Parlier served as a volunteer in many community activities and was named “Hopewell’s Volunteer of the Year” in 2004. He was a long-time member of Lions International and received the prestigious “Melvin Jones Humanitarian Award” for outstanding contributions to the work of the Lions. In 2007, he was inducted into Hopewell’s “Senior Hall of Fame” and in 2008 was awarded the “Firth Humanitarian Award” from John Randolph Medical Center as “Outstanding Volunteer”. Other volunteer activities included working as Docent at Historic Hopewell’s St. Dennis Chapel, served as “Big Brother” to students at Dupont School, and was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church, serving as Sunday School Teacher, Elder, Trustee and Choir Member. Dr. Parlier was the author of two published novels and organized the Community Writers Club of Hopewell. The family will receive friends 3:00pm to 5:00pm Sunday, September 30, 2018 at J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service 820 W. Broadway Ave. Hopewell VA, 23860. A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm on Monday, October 1, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church 1107 W. Broadway Ave. Hopewell VA, 23860. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church Choir. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .