Edward Ray Parsons

He was born January 31, 1931 to the late Clarence Edward Parsons and Josephine “Chick” Franklin Parsons of Burke County, NC. Ed and his wife have worshiped with Fairgrove Baptist Church since 1956. He retired from General Electric and worked in Data Processing for 33 years. He also served in the Army. Ed loved his family and was a very down to earth man; he always had a smile on his face. His passion was his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who fondly called him Papa. Ed loved time in the mountains with his family and spoiling his grandchildren. Sunday dinners with family always brought everyone great times. He would light up when his great grandsons, Braxton and Brody would walk through the door. Ed married his true love and best friend, Evelyn Webb on May 3, 1954. What a wonderful life they have shared together. Ed was a great man of strong faith and he lived it daily. Ed will be greatly missed.

In addition to his parents, Ed is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Parsons Curtis and Betty Parsons Loudermelt.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife of 60 years, Evelyn Webb Parsons; children, Johnny R. Parsons and wife, Patty R. Parsons, of Conover, NC, and Gregory Alan Parsons of Hickory, NC; grandchildren, Andrew R. Parsons, Jenny P. Eckard and husband, Beau, Misty Parsons, and Miranda Trivette; and great grandchildren, Braxton Eckard, Brody Eckard, Khloee Trivette, and Landon Trivette.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, October 13, 2014 at Fairgrove Baptist Church in Hickory, NC. Reverend Neal George will officiate. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory, NC. Military rites will be administered with American Legion Post 16.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorials be made to Catawba Regional Hospice: 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658 or Rising Hope Farms: 3775 Bethany Church Road, Claremont, NC 28610.