Barbara Joan “Jody” Parrish, 92, of Belmont, North Carolina, passed away Thursday morning, the 28th of December, 2023, at her home. She was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Wednesday, the 16th of September, 1931, the youngest of two daughters to the late J.D. and Emma Tucker Wingate.
As a young lady, she and her sister, Jane, and their classmates loved going to the beach, especially Myrtle Beach, SC, where she loved to dance to the “1950s” Beach music. Jody and Jane continued this tradition of going to the beach annually. She was a 1951 graduate of the old Harding High School. Being a military spouse, Jody enjoyed and had adventures with her family in Colorado, Nevada, North Dakota & Georgia.
After returning to Charlotte, Jody worked at Carolinas Medical Center for several years. She later worked as a receptionist at McEwen Funeral Service on Morehead Street and later retiring from Forest Lawn West Funeral Service after 25 years of service. With Jody’s personality and love of people, she finally found her knack. She helped many families over the years and gained a second family within the funeral home staff.
A service to celebrate the life of Jody Parrish will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, the 4th of January 2024, in the Chapel of Forest Lawn West Funeral Service. The family will greet friends immediately following the service.
She is survived by her three children: Pandi Parrish and her husband, Scott Hinkelman; Missy Hogan and her husband, Ronnie Hogan and Barry Parrish; her three grandchildren: Michael Hogan, Jace Parrish and his wife, Betty Jo Parrish and Kadyn Parrish (Dalton Witt). Several nieces and nephews, but two special nieces: Leslie Austin, husband Jerry, and Linda Fusco.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Jane Saxon, and grandson, Jared “Boo” Hogan.
Jody will be missed, and May Her Memory Be Eternal.
