Charlotte Evans Neil Parrish

PARRISH, Charlotte Evans NeilAge 80 of Donelson, TN. She died quietly in her sleep on the morning of February 17, 2009 at the Alive Hospice unit at St. Thomas Hospital, Nashville, TN, which was her decision and choice, respected and supported by her children. A life-long participant in the United Methodist Church since her residence in Scottsville, KY as a child, she was at peace when she passed away. Mrs. Parrish, daughter of the late Ernest Coldwell Neil and Carlen West Neil, Scottsville, KY, was born in Nashville, TN on January 20, 1929. She is survived by her siblings, Ernest Coldwell Neil II, State College, PA, Antonia Ruth Johnston, Fort Worth, TX and Marian Carlen Nash, Tulsa, OK. Charlotte married the late Harry L. Parrish, Sr. (d. November 1986) of Scottsville, KY on December 27, 1954 in Scottsville, KY. She was the mother of Harry L. Parrish, Jr., Fort Meade, MD, John Ernest Parrish, Dickson, TN, Fred Randall Parrish, Donelson, TN, Rebecca Jane Parrish Wheeler, Smyrna, TN and Martha Jean Parrish Girton, Brentwood, TN and their respective spouses. Charlotte had nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Charlotte and Harry resided in multiple locations throughout the southeastern US until Harry graduated from Clemson University as a Civil Engineer in 1958. Charlotte attended the University of Kentucky School of Journalism, Lexington, KY; Anderson College, Anderson, SC; Erskine College, Due West, SC, while raising three of her five children, and working several positions as a journalist and as a photographer during this time, winning several awards from the Associated Press, United Press International and the International News Service for journalistic and photographic excellence. Charlotte and Harry raised all five of their children and continuously resided in Donelson, TN from the early 1960's. Charlotte was known far and wide for her varied and eclectic academic, research, personal, writing, work, and historical interests. Her work experiences were exceptionally wide, ranging from service as a teacher in a one room school house, multiple journalism oriented positions, self educated and fluent in geological and engineering vocations and avocations dedicated to support of her husband's career as an engineer, geological and mining exploration. She worked and actively participated as a writer and editor for the Donelson News Herald and Beacon, up until the onset of her recent illness in December of 2008. She was a 40 year member and active participant in the American Legion and past President of the Auxiliary Post 88, Donelson TN. In recent years, she was an active participant in the American Legion Girl's State, Auxiliary Emergency Fund, the Nashville Davidson County Veterans Coordinating Council, the American Legion Auxiliary, Harris Family Reunion Association and the Donelson/Hermitage Chamber of Commerce, and the Scottsville High Alumni Scholarship Fund, Scottsville, KY. A life-long advocate for the underdog in almost any situation, she was a staid and stoic mentor for many of all ages in the Nashville, TN and southern Kentucky areas. She was a staunch supporter of all who altruistically sacrificed for the benefit of others. Pallbearers: Brent Branum, Jack Soodhalter, Jim Dolan, Johnny Wheeler, Clark Cannon, Denny Miller. Honorary Pallbearers: Steve Pryor, Dickey Barlow, Craig Lafon, Butch Hoover, Tommy Hoover, Roy Turrentine, Frank Schwartz, Joel Green, W. J. Cannon, friends of the Hickory Bend and Boulder Park subdivisions, staff at the Donelson News Herald and Beacon, Class of 1946 Scottsville High School, members of American Legion and Auxiliary Unit 88. Visitation is available on Thursday, February 19, 2009 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday, February 20, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at Hibbett and Hailey Funeral Home, Donelson, TN. Services to be performed at Hibbett and Hailey Funeral Home, Donelson, TN by Brother Bill Reding, Ruth Ensor United Methodist Church, Old Hickory, TN and Brother Bill Smith, Chaplain for the State Commission of Veterans Affairs and Nashville Veterans Coordinating Council, and a Prayer delivered by Earl Watson, State Commander American Legion, at 12 Noon on Friday, February 20, 2009. Visitation at T. W. Crow and Son, Scottsville, KY, February 20, 2009 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, February 21, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Services on Saturday, February 21, 2009 to be performed at 12 Noon, at T. W. Crow Funeral Home, by Brother Bill Smith and Brother Bill Oakes, Scottsville, KY. Graveside services Crescent Hill Cemetery, Scottsville, KY. In Scottsville, the family will be at T. W. Crow Funeral Home. Mrs. Parrish had requested donations to the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 88 (Girls State or Emergency Auxiliary Fund), Box 140616, Donelson, TN 37214; or the Scottsville High School Pointers for the Future Scholarship Fund, Attn: Morris Grubs Bookkeeping service, 202 Jacks Shopping Center, Scottsville, KY 42164, in lieu of flowers. T.W. CROW & SON FUNERAL HOME, (270) 237-3114.