On January 5, 1927, Winston Jackson Parden was born to Harvel Raymond (Toy) Parden and Minnie Bertha Parten Parden of the Tallahatta Springs, Alabama community. He left this earthly life for his heavenly home on Saturday, April, 15, 2017, at the age of 90.
After graduating from Thomasville High School with honors in 1944, Winston was drafted into the military service, serving in the Pacific during WWII in the 97th Infantry Division of the 8th Army. He was onboard the USS Stuart Heintzelman, headed for the invasion of Japan, when the Atomic Bomb was dropped. He always said that the Atomic Bomb saved his life. Following his honorable discharged from the Army, he served for several years in the local Army Reserves where he was awarded the rank of Corporal.
In 1951 Winston married Hazel Anna Counselman, the love of his life, and they were blessed with two daughters, Roxann and Sandra Kay. Winston became service manager to both the local Ford and Chevrolet dealerships, respectively and from which he retired. He earned many awards from both including a vacation trip to Hawaii in 1980. He was noted for his work ethic and personal integrity, following the Golden Rule. He always treasured the relationships that he gained with his customers and the technicians with whom he worked.
At the age of 17, Winston accepted Christ. He later became the first member to affiliate with Pineview Baptist Mission, started by Thomasville Baptist Church. He also was among the first deacons ordained when the mission became a constituted church in 1962. Through subsequent years, he served in numerous capacities in the church including one of his favorites, Junior Boys Sunday School teacher. He was very active in all church activities until his recently declining health prevented his doing so. Winston was a very devoted and dedicated Christian man, and the life he lived exemplified it. He loved his God, his family and his friends.
Winston also loved being outdoors, gardening, and keeping his lawn and yard immaculately groomed, for which he was honored twice with the Yard of the Month recognition. Because he was an avid reader, he could easily fill the days of inclement weather and physical limitations.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two Sisters: Joy Parden Day and Nell Parden Roberts, and his Brother, Jessie Broox Parden, Sr.
Survivors include his Wife of 66 years, Hazel; his two Daughters: Roxann Parden Luker and husband, Steve and Sandra Kay Parden Agee and husband, Al; two Granddaughters: Valeree Beaty Theis and husband, Mathew and Anna Beth Agee; three Great-Granddaughters: Satyn Lee Luker Morris and husband, Luke, Samantha Collins, and Shyra Theis; and Great-Grand son Ethan Collins who called his Granddaddy his “Bestest Buddy”. Also surviving is a Sister, Mary Modine Parden Bouler as well as a number of other relatives and friends.
The service will be officiated by his pastor: Rev. Mitch Thrower--Senior Pastor of Pineview Baptist Church and by Rev. Tyrone Parten--Senior Pastor of Thomasville Baptist Church, and one of his former Sunday School boys. Sharing her piano and vocal talent will be Becky Luker.
Pallbearers will be: Nephews: Jessie Parden, Jr., Jackie Bouler, Joe Davis, and Mark Counselman and special friends: Marshall Parten and Ken Clayton.
Honorary Pallbearers will be: The Men’s Sunday School Class and the Deacons of Pineview Baptist Church.
Arrangements are handled with great care and dignity by O’Bryant Chapel Funeral Home with interment in Evergreen Memorial Gardens in Thomasville. The service will conclude at graveside with an army guard playing Taps and the folding and presentation of the U S flag to Winston’s widow.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to Pineview Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Pineview Baptist Church, 182 Moore Street, Thomasville, AL 36784.
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