WINDER - James Ridley “JR” Parrish, 90, died on Friday, April 19, 2024, with his wife and three daughters at his side.
He was born on April 27, 1933, in Bremen to James Ralph Parrish and Pauline White Parrish. He spent his childhood there, graduating from Bremen High School and then attended Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now known as Auburn University, class of 1954. At Auburn, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity serving as vice-president and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
He married his high school sweetheart, Carole Feild, on August 21, 1954, and they shared 69½ years of marriage.
After graduation, he served two years in the U.S. Army at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. When his service was completed, he returned to Bremen and in 1958 moved to Winder, employed as a sales representative for Threads Inc., Groves Thread Company, and retired from American and Efird in 1997.
As a resident of Winder, he served the community in many capacities. He was an elected member of the Barrow County Board of Education for 14 years serving as chairman for three, Winder City Councilman for 25 years, and a member of the Rotary Club, Barrow County Chamber of Commerce, and Winder-Barrow Booster club.
JR was a faithful member of the First United Methodist Church of Winder since 1959. Over his many years of attendance, he served as Chairman of the Administrative Board, Chairman of the Council on Ministries, Chairman of Pastor-Parish Relations Committee, Chairman of Financial Stewardship Campaign, and Chairman of the Finance Committee. He also taught Sunday school and participated in Bible studies.
JR will be remembered for his love of all things Auburn, golf and trips to the Masters, a great sense of humor with a fantastic laugh, but especially for his love of his family and how he loved to keep count of its growth. He is preceded in death by his daughter, Priscilla Blair Parrish.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Carole; a sister, Polly Clayton, Bremen; his daughters, Keigh Butler and husband, Bob, Paige Royster, and Brooke McWhorter and husband, Mason; granddaughters, Blair Avendano and husband, Mario, Cameron Wooten and husband Ethan, Caitlin Strickland and husband Hunter, Mary Mason Huber and husband Grayson, and Parrish McWhorter; grandsons, Graham Butler and wife, Amanda, and Patrick Royster and wife, Amelia. He is also survived by great-grandchildren, Tripp Butler, Abby Butler, Lainey Strickland, Allie Avendano, Caroline Wooten, Isla Strickland and Reid Wooten, who was named James Reid to carry on the initials JR and the legacy of his great-grandfather.
Funeral service: Wednesday, April 24, 2024, at 11 a.m. at the Winder First United Methodist Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, Winder, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Smith Funeral Home, Winder, is in charge of arrangements.
Published by MainStreet Newspapers, Inc.
Week of April 21-27
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