Peninsula In Passage

“It changed my life,” Parkerson, says, remembering that the internship grew into a career path as he became one of the “family”, living on the grounds of Lancaster Farms and helping to look after Lancaster’s mother. When Parkerson graduated from Virginia Tech he was wooed by recruiters from major companies but ultimately came back to Lancaster. In a few years the two had a temporary falling out and Parkerson bought the business in 1970. Growth in the community has been good for business Parkerson says. Lancaster Farms covers the whole landscaping spectrum and has farms on Murphy’s Mill and Pitch Kettle Roads in Suffolk. “I’m proud of being a stable business here for 40 years,” Parkerson says, “Junie was a good friend.” Lancaster was a friend to the

community as well. After witnessing a tragic automobile accident with no help close by, he became the driving force behind the Bennett’s Creek Rescue Squad. He supported civic organizations

Charlie Parkerson

– financially and personally - and sponsored the construction of a chapel at the Bon Secours Maryview Nursing Care Center and a women’s health center at Bon Secours Health Center at Harbour View. The Lancasters donated their extensive collection of antique trains and toys to the Children’s Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth. When Parkinson’s disease finally claimed Junie Lancaster’s life, the day after Valentine’s Day, 1996, Millie made sure that he was dressed for the funeral, as he requested, in a new tan work uniform with his signature red suspenders, and she wore the bright red suit he loved to see her wear. Somewhere in Hampton Roads the pink camellias named for Junie Lancaster were likely blooming. The American Camellia Society describes the camellia as “upright with vigorous growth” – a fitting tribute to a man known to spontaneously lead a crowd in singing his favorite song – “Smile and the World Smiles with You.”

Dale Saunders

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