James Ridley “JR” Parrish died on April 19, 2024 at the age of 90 with his wife and three daughters at his side. He was born on April 27, 1933 in Bremen, GA 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 VP 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 69 ½ years of marriage.
After graduation, he served two years in the US Army at Ft. Bragg, NC. When his service was completed, he returned to Bremen and in 1958 moved to Winder, GA employed as a sales representative for Threads, Inc., Groves Thread Company, and retired from American & 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 Winder First United Methodist Church 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 of Bremen; his daughter, Keigh Butler and husband, Bob; daughter, Paige Royster, daughter 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.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 at 11:00 am at Winder First United Methodist Church. A visitation for family and friends will be held prior to the service from 10:00 am until 11:00 am in the Fellowship Hall of Winder First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Winder First United Methodist Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
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