In the late summer of 2016, the community of Saint Matthews, South Carolina, was shaken by the loss of a well-known and beloved local figure. Franklin Gilmer Parker, a 79-year-old male, was killed on August 25, 2016, in what authorities have described as a senseless act of violence. Parker, who had owned and operated several businesses in the area, including a bait and tackle shop and an upholstery business, was known for his sense of humor and his readiness to help others, often extending his kindness across racial lines.
The circumstances of his death pointed to a robbery gone wrong. Family members believe Parker was targeted by someone who thought he was carrying a significant amount of money. At the time of his death, he was courageously battling cancer. The investigation into his murder led to the arrest of Edward Britt Jr., then a 56-year-old man with an extensive criminal record that spanned nearly four decades and multiple counties.
Britt was subsequently charged with murder and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The news of the arrest brought a small measure of comfort to a community deeply affected by the loss of a man who had been a fixture in their lives for many years. Friends and family gathered to remember a man who had touched so many with his generosity and spirit, leaving behind a legacy of goodwill that was felt throughout Saint Matthews.
