James Riley "Smokey" Parker, 77

McMinnville resident and Woodbury resident James Riley "Smokey" Parker, 77, was born Nov. 5, 1948 and died March 20, 2026 at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown in Nashville surrounded by his family. 

A retired maintenance worker with Warren County High School, he was the son of the late William Carl and Lois Gertrude Tittle Parker. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by father-in-law, Leman Brown and brother-in-law, Larry Brown. 

Mr. Parker is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carolyn Brown Parker of McMinnville; children, Shawn (January) Parker of Kentucky, Natalie Templeton of McMinnville and Shawn (Danielle) Parker of Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Alyssa Parker of McMinnville, Hailey Parker of Spencer, Jhealynn (Riley) McCormick of McMinnville, Olivia Parker of McMinnville, Jaxon Templeton of McMinnville; brothers, Carl (Juanita) Parker, Jeffery (Christina) Parker, Jerome (Lynne) Parker; mother-in-law, Martha Brown and several nieces and nephews. 

Graveside service and interment will be 2:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026 at Smyrna Cemetery with Jarvis Johnson officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 4 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and Thursday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at High's. 

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. 

Main Street Journal

March 23, 2026