Edna Gooch Parrish

Edna Gooch Parrish, 89, of Durham, North Carolina peacefully passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at Eno Pointe Assisted Living. She was born September 12, 1935, in Durham, NC to the late Onie Gooch, Sr. and Annie Keith Gooch. In addition to her parents, Edna is preceded in death by her brother, Onie “Buck” Gooch, Jr. and sister, Annie Seeley.

Mrs. Parrish was a lifelong resident of Durham. She graduated from Oak Grove High School in 1954 where she was involved in many activities as well as cheerleading and athletics. Edna had a magnetic personality. With her charisma and genuine nature, she made many friends that carried long into adulthood. 

Edna worked for the VA Hospital in Durham, NC for over 30 years until her retirement in 1993 as a secretary where she was an asset to the Supply Department. Her leadership, dedication and intelligence were greatly appreciated and missed when she retired.

Mrs. Parrish attended Guess Road Baptist Church. She enjoyed Adult Sunday School and taking bus trips with the church members. She also cherished her time taking Matthew and Lindsey to Church and Vacation Bible School.

Edna enjoyed taking care of her yard and house plants. She loved animals, especially her beloved cat Pepper. She also loved decorating for the holidays and preparing wonderful meals including her famous Spaghetti and Chocolate Chess Pie for her family. The tradition of decorating has been passed on to the family. Mrs. Parrish will be remembered as a strong, independent, and intelligent woman who had a deep faith in her Lord and Savior. She was a wonderful mother, sibling, grandmother, and aunt who will be deeply missed by everyone blessed to have known her.

Mrs. Parrish is survived by her daughter, Debra Parrish Kearns (Donald); son, Todd Parrish; brother, Tom Gooch (Donna); sister, Dovie Gaddy; grandchildren, Matthew Kearns (Kathryn), Lindsey Kearns, Nicholas Parrish and Benjamin Parrish and other loving family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Hudson Funeral Home, 211 S. Miami Blvd., Durham, NC 27703. The family will receive friends prior to the service starting at 12:00 P.M. The Reverend Dr. Insung Kim, Lead Pastor at New Sharon Church in Hillsborough, NC will officiate. Interment will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Durham, NC. 

Serving as Pallbearers will be Danny Gooch, Jeremy Karl, Bruce Eudy, Jr., Ronald Kearns, Zach Underwood, and Brian Adcock.

The family would like to say a special “Thank You” to the wonderful staff at Eno Pointe Assisted Living for their excellent care and friendship.

Flowers or donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in memory of Edna are both acceptable.