Charles Leonard Parsons

Charles Leonard Parsons, Indian Valley, Virgina

WEAR SUNSCREEN.  Stage 4 Metastatic Melanoma Cancer killed me at the young age of 63 on June 5th, 2016.  I died in the arms of my best loving wife, Suzanne Elaine Parsons.

I was a Winston-Salem, NC boy, raised by my mother, Mary (Myers) and Eugene Parsons (who predeceased me).  I attended North Forsyth High School and attended the University of Hard Knocks.  I traveled the US and foreign countries, until I settled in Winston-Salem, NC.  During my career I had the honor and privilege to work with people who were amazing; they often gave me the strength and courage to get through my life's journey.  I hope I was able to give them a fraction of what they gave me. I “retired” in Dugspur / Indian Valley, VA.  So many stories to share and too little time.  I hope to be remembered with laughter, love and good “coffee.”

I LOVED my life. To physically work, to sit quietly outdoors, to read, and to listen to music, to watch summer storms blow across the mountains, or to watch the sun set over the ocean water.  I loved to travel, to meet new people, to experience new cultures.  Mostly, I loved to talk, share, and laugh with my family and friends. 

Of all the things I did in this life, nothing compared to being with my Suzanne, my Anam Cara, my soul mate, my Love of My Life.   Suzanne opened the world to me.  She supported me, encouraged me, loved me. We enjoyed many trips together, most enjoyable were those to Alaska, Montana, Costa Rica, anywhere there was ocean and most importantly, her Clearwater Beach.  I fought every day to stay alive and to be with her.  No person could ever ask for a more loving and supportive wife, always my champion, always. I enjoyed every moment we shared; the great ones, the sad ones, the easy and the hard.  No matter where this journey brings me next, I will forever carry Suzanne's love with me, as I am sure there is a piece of me that will forever remain with her.  “MORE”

I was blessed in this life with amazing family and friends.  I leave my Mother, Mary Parsons, my eldest daughter, Erica (Piner) and her husband Stockton, along with the three grandchildren they gave me, Lillian Francis, Charles Holden, and Hallie Christine, all of Winston-Salem, NC.  My eldest son, Christopher, of Boston, MA and his love Rhianna.  My youngest daughter, Sarah (Chrosniak) and the grandson she gave me, Koda Thedford (aka Little Bear), and my youngest son Grayam (Holt), all of Indian Valley, VA.  I was proud to give each of them my name.  I also leave my brother Alton (Tony) Parsons and his wife, Debbie, and their children, all of Winston-Salem, NC.  I leave a Mother and Father-in-Law, Carol and Ted Roy, of Knoxville, TN.  I leave lifelong friends, Jeff and Sharon Butler, Jason and Lauren Butler & Jenson, Tim Pegram, Sterling Marion and Jay Moore, of Winston-Salem, NC.  I leave friends, Brian Quesnberry, Vinton Quesnberry, and John Shouse of Dugspur, VA.  I leave countess more nieces, nephews, and friends around the world.

I'd like to thank my physicians for their care and support in this battle. Each always saw me as a person and not a statistic. In addition, I thank my Hospice physician, Hospice nurses, and all those who cared for me during this journey, we forged a path for me that brought me further than most would have imagined.

Family and friends will gather to honor and remember my life at funeral services on Saturday, June 11, 2016 ~ 2:00 pm at Calvary Bible Church – 1000 Double Cabin Road, Dugspur. Burial will follow in the Phillips Cemetery, Indian Valley, VA.

“When I get to the end of my live and I ask one last, “what have I done?”, let my answer be, “I have done Love.”