Betty Parrish

Parrish, Betty L. – age 92 of Knoxville passed away on July 26, 2022. She was born in Knoxville and was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church and the Karns Senior Center. Longtime member of John Sevier Baptist Church and the John Sevier community before moving to the Karns area. She was a breast cancer survivor and a 50+ year member of the UT Agricultural Extension Service FCE Clubs. Betty started sewing as soon as she could climb into a chair and sit at a sewing machine. There were few, if any, items that she could not make or alter. She made her own clothes as well as clothes for her immediate and extended family. Her dress making included bridal gowns, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses, and pageant dresses. She won many first-place awards at local and state levels for her dressmaking, quilting, dolls, and other handiwork. During the COVID pandemic she made almost 2000 masks that were distributed to local hospitals. She was thrifty and could always find a bargain no matter what the item. Betty was a great cook and every family member had at least one dish that they felt she did better than anyone else. She loved her family, her church and her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Betty was married to Nessie W. Parrish for over 64 years until his death in March 2012. Her middle son, Randal B. Parrish, passed away in October 2017. She was also preceded in death by her father, Bee William Mink.; mother, Lou Tisha Duncan Mink; brothers, Emory, Roy, Bill, Bruce, Charles, and John Mink.

She is survived by sons, Doug (Barbara) Parrish, Rusty (Keith) Parrish-Turner, and daughter-in-law, Darlene Parrish; grandchildren, Jennifer (Jason) Mayfield, Laura Harkleroad, Kimberly (Nathan) Evers, and Emily (William) Wainwright; great grandchildren, Sydney, Carter and Audrey Mayfield, McKenzie and McKaleb Harkleroad, Lucy, Rex and Jack Evers, and Connor and Caroline Wainwright; sister, Barbara Newman; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, July 31, 2022 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Weaver Funeral Home (5815 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921, 865-588-3868) with funeral services immediately following officiated by Rev. David Stooksbury. Family and friends will meet at Lynnhurst Cemetery on Monday, August 1, 2022 at 11 a.m. for interment. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1748 Powell TN, 37849.