Dorothy Ballard Parrott

PARROTT Dorothy Ballard Parrott, age 101, went home to be with her Heavenly Father Thursday evening, May 1, 2008, at her residence in Leesburg Township. Born November 2, 1906, she gave her life to the Lord in 1922 and remained a lifelong devoted member of the Magnetic Springs United Methodist Church, having served in many of the church, Sunday School and Women's Society offices, including Springfield District WSCS officer, past president of the Magnetic Springs Women's Service Club, the Union County Homemakers Club, as well as volunteering many hours in school and community activities. She believed in education, having begun her schooling at age 4 and graduating at age 16 from Magnetic Springs High School. She was preceded in death by her husband Donald D. Parrott, her parents Grant and Lana Grieble Ballard, and her three brothers William, Stanley and George Eugene, together with a great-grandchild Brittany Crabtree. When her mother died, Dorothy at age 14 assumed her role as mother and raised her brothers as her first family. Later, she attended and became a graduate of Ohio University with course work at Ohio Wesleyan University. While at Ohio University, she was a member of a championship field hockey team, in later years saying that, "coming from the farm, I could run like a deer." She taught school in Delaware County until she married, as married women were not permitted to teach in those days. She saw that each of her own children became college graduates, and with her husband established scholarships at North Union High School, and individually helped provide an education for several other persons. In her middle years, she wrote several articles which were published. She and her loving husband, Donald D. Parrott, were married on April 4, 1931, in Fletcher, Ohio by Rev. Harry B. Parrott, Jr., brother of Donald. She leaves three children, Kathryn Kay (John) Bishop, William L. (Sally) Parrott, Richard E. (May) Parrott; grandchildren, Mark (Anamaria) Bishop, Kendra (Stephen) Hamby, Mary Jean (Nevin) Smith, Rita (James) Monroe, Donald (Connie) Parrott, Anne (Damon) Crabtree, Karen (Rick) Rausch, Robert Parrott, Neil (Sally) Parrott, and Angela (Damon) Osborne together with 21 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great-grandchild. Encouraging her progeny to better themselves, she was known as the "cheerleader" of her family. She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her family, relatives and a host of friends. Funeral Service will be held at the Magnetic Springs United Methodist Church on Monday, May 5 at 11 a.m. with Rev. Stephen Hamby and Pastor Mo Dunn officiating. Friends may call from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday at the STOFCHECK-BALLINGER FUNERAL HOME, Richwood. Memorial gifts may be made to the Donald D. and Dorothy B. Parrott Scholarship Fund, 12920 St. Rt. 739, Richwood, OH 43344, which was established in 1998 to award scholarships to North Union and Tri-Rivers students from the North Union School District. To date, 19 scholarships have been awarded, which brought special delight to Dorothy. Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck- ballingerfuneralhome.com. Sign the online guestbook at www.dispatch.com/obituaries