Obituary of Wesley Read

Wesley Read, beloved son of the late Betty Read Parker and stepson of the late Clyde Parker Sr. was born on September 4, 1940 in Jackson, North Carolina. After a declining health and a broken heart, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Wesley peacefully transitioned from his earthly home to the eternal kingdom. He was preceded in death by his wife Lois Marie Branch-Read, his sister Betty Mae Parker-Kee, his brother Reed Parker, and his biological father William Ruffin. In the early 1960's Wesley and Lois relocated to Baltimore, Maryland. He worked 35 years at the Maryland Sweetheart Cup Company and was a dedicated employee proudly maintaining perfect attendance for several consecutive years. He was a member of the company's baseball teams and won at least two championships. He retired in 2005. Wesley loved God, family, the church, singing, and his precious guitar! He was a member of the Randall Gospel Singers and The Southern Souls. In addition to singing lead and backup, he was primarily the lead guitarist. He also loved to fish and bowl and over the years, belonged to three bowling leagues: Central Baptist, Calvert Mixed and Baltimore County Rollers. Wesley was a faithful member of the Israel Baptist Church of Baltimore City where he attended with his wife and oldest son until he could no longer attend due to health reasons. A few weeks before his sunset, he often said the words "I want somewhere to lay my head." This was one of a few songs that were his favorites. Left to cherish his memory are his three children: daughter Julia Marie Read-Bush (Frank), son Wesley Lee Read (Mae), and son Steven McCoy Read (Kinya). He is also survived by his siblings Clyde Parker Jr (Ruth), Herman Parker, James Parker, Eugene Parker (Deborah), John Arthur Parker (Mildred), Ethel Parker-Williams (Lewis), Brenda Parker, and Evelyn Parker-Jeffress. Wesley's legacy will continue through his grandchildren Asim Abdur-Rahim, Jamila Abdur-Rahim, Chantal Bush (Ricardo), Antoine Read (Tamera), Erica Read-Williams (Logan), Shacorra Harrison (Read), Steven Read Jr, Wesley Lee Read Jr, Maegan Read, DeShawn Read; his great-grands Corey Paige Jr (Elissa), Zakia Yeboah-Bey, Kareema Abdur-Rahim, Jade Read, Jalissa Read, Derrick Craig (Bush), and Chantal Amari Bush; and a host of nieces and nephews. Wesley will be greatly missed by his family, close relatives and friends.