Joyce Eileen Parrott (nee Bahr)

1928 - 2019

Celebrating the Life of

Joyce Eileen Parrott

Joyce Eileen (Bahr) Parrott died December 1, 2019, while sleeping peacefully at her residence in Ballwin, Missouri, with her husband Chuck holding her hand. She was born in August of 1928, in Detroit, Michigan, to her parents, Alice Kershaw and Ralph Bahr who lovingly raised (and doted) on her.  Somewhat dismayed with her lack of siblings, she adopted a best girlfriend for life and spent summers with friends swimming and canoeing at the family cottage on Elk Lake, Michigan.  She met her future husband at Elk Lake, where his family also had a cottage. Though it took him a bit of time, she was immediately smitten.  Joyce married Charles Edward “Chuck” Parrott on June 14, 1947 and they have enjoyed a remarkable 72 years together. 

Joyce, a gifted artist, first learned to paint at the age of 10. While in high school, one of her paintings was chosen to be displayed at the Detroit Art Institute. A gifted child, she enrolled at the University of Michigan on a scholarship at the tender age of 16 where she was surrounded by worldly WACS returning from WWII. After college, she taught art for 15 years and won many awards for her artwork.

Throughout her life, she shared God’s love with everyone - family, friends and neighbors - through her caring gentle manner and deeds. She helped establish a new church, taught Sunday School, led a high school youth group and routinely prayed for others. She studied to be a Stephen Minister and through this ministry helped care for those in need.

Joyce was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, instilling the importance of compassion, giving, reading and learning to each generation. During the early years of their marriage, she and Chuck were challenged with the untimely death of two young daughters.  They leaned on their faith, enjoyed the time given and shared their hard-won insight that children and family are the most precious gift from God.

She is survived by her husband Chuck, daughters Kathy Gough (David), Joan Parrott-Sheffer (Thom), grandchildren Adam (Chelsey) Brandon (Max), and Ryan, and great-grandchildren Nathan and Nicky. She was preceded in death by her parents and two daughters, Barbie Jo and Susan Joy.

Joyce will be remembered as a person who always acted with love and kindness, and willingly shared herself and her gifts with all she met. 

Following the service, a luncheon will be held in the Trinity Lutheran Church Gym. Burial will be private. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church. A service of the SCHRADER Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends may sign the family’s on-line guestbook at Schrader.com.