Yates Parrish, Jr.

   Carey Yates Parrish, Jr., 97, of Old Hertford Road, Edenton, NC, died Monday, February 26, 2024, in his home where he was surrounded by and cared for by his family. His death came on he and his wife’s 74th wedding anniversary.

   Mr. Parrish was born in Chowan County on June 19, 1926, and was the last surviving of the five children born to the late Carey Yates Parrish, Sr., and Beulah Moore Parrish. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a two-year-old sister, Katherine Mae Parrish; by brothers, Ralph, Frank, and Jimmie Parrish; by a daughter-in-law, Sue T. Parrish; and by sons-in-law, Fred Clarke and Jimmy Barger.

   A life-long farmer who raised cattle and other livestock, Mr. Parrish had enjoyed his life’s work, tending the same land through the times when he farmed it behind a mule, to the days of ever-changing tractors, combines, and cotton pickers, to even living to see a grandson crop dust from an airplane. Activities in farming included his serving on the Pollock Swamp committee, receiving the Chowan County Young Farmer of The Year Award in 1961, serving as President of the NC Cattleman’s Association, receiving the Chowan County Peanut Ton & A Half Club Award in 1963, and serving as a 4-H Leader for over 40 years.

   Mr. Parrish was a faithful member of Edenton Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon, on the Bus, Finance, Nominating, and Usher committees and supervised the church’s community garden for two years. A member of the Lloyd E. Griffin Sunday School Class for 77 years, he served as both its Secretary/Treasurer and as Treasurer of the class's Scholarship fund, and received a Sunday School Perfect Attendance pin while in his 90’s.

   Other areas of enjoyment included his membership of many years in Unanimity Masonic Lodge #7, A.F. & A.M., the Shriners Club where he twice served as President, service on the Sudan Shrine Children’s Activity Committee, and the annual sales of the Shriner Plaque for the benefit of their hospital for crippled and burned children. A longtime member of the Edenton Chapter of The Order of The Eastern Star, he had served as its Worthy Patron on five different occasions.

   For over 50 years, Mr. Parrish reported daily to the Virginia National Weather Service in Wakefield, VA the local weather conditions in Edenton. For this and his many other contributions to the community, the Town of Edenton issued a Proclamation of Appreciation to Mr. Parrish on his 95th birthday for his service to the community.

   Drafted into the Army in 1944, he was a World War II veteran, seeing action in the Battle of Luzon in the Asiatic Pacific Theatre and received that campaigns Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Army Occupation Medal. Proud of his service to his country, he was a member of the Edward G. Bond Post #40 of The American Legion for over 50 years.

   Surviving is his wife, Mary Julia Harrell Parrish, their children, Faye P. Kirshon (Joel), C.Y. Parrish III, Linda P. White (Dale), Jean P. Barger, and Jane Parrish. They will long remember his guidance as a loving and Christian Daddy. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Bryant White (Kim), Bonnie Lee (Tommy), Susan Perry (Mike), Mary Joe Parrish, Bess Creswell (Michael), Jennifer Nelson, Kimberly Mauser (John), Carey Parrish IV (Rosanna), Jacob Barger (Megan), and Sarah Girbach (Joey); 19 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews, and extended members of both the Parrish and Harrell families along with a special friend Donna Spivey.

   Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 2nd, at 3:00 p.m. in Edenton Baptist Church and will be conducted by The Rev. Dr. Koby Strawser and The Rev. Dr. Jesse Croom. The burial with military and masonic honors will follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Home, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, or all other times at the residence.

   Flowers are welcomed, or contributions in his memory may be made to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565 (online at https://mhc-oxford.org); or to a charity of one’s choice.

   The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Dr. Bryan Bunn and staff for the care and comfort given to their loved one during his period of declining health.

   Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.