Pastor Teddy Parker Who Committed Suicide Struggled with Mental Illness; Memorial Service Set for Nov. 16

By Katie Chan

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(Photo: Rev. Teddy Parker Jr funeral program)

Family of Pastor Teddy Parker Jr. from Macon, Georgia, will hold a memorial service for him on Saturday, Nov 16. The funeral will be live stream at teddyparker.org.  

The shocking news came when Parker, 42, of Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church didn't show up on the Sunday Service while concregation waited for him to preach. His wife discovered him in their home's driveway with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

On Parker's memorial service website, it reveals that the African-American pastor was struggling with and suffering from mental illness. There is a special section asking for donation for the Parker Girls Fund, which will help to cover the expenses associated with the educational needs for Paker's two teenage daughters, Kerrington and Kamry Parker.

"By contributing to this fund, you will be demonstrating in a tangible way that the Body of Christ stands in unity and solidarity in support of these two girls,"  according to the website. 

Parker's longtime friend, Dr. E. Dewey Smith Jr., senior pastor at The House of Hope Atlanta (Greater Travelers Rest) in Decatur, Ga., is slated to deliver his eulogy.  

"He was suffering with manic depression and he had some emotional issues that he had been dealing with. [He was] in treatment, but he just couldn't step away from ministry," Smith told the Christian Post. 

"It's hard to be honest. It's difficult for some preachers to be honest. Every pastor needs a pastor to kind of lead and guide them. But it's hard for us to really find that relationship because often pastors are trying to compete with or cremate you. And so it's difficult to find camaraderie,"  Smith added. 

Parker is survived by wife Larrinecia Sims Parker and two daughters. 

Parker was called to preach at the age of 22.  He was licensed and ordained at Fellowship Bible Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia, under the leadership of the late Willie L. Reid, Sr. He served at the Fellowship Bible Baptist Church prior to being called to shepherd the Bibb Mount Zion Baptist Church of Macon, Georgia in July 1997.  

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