Mrs. Gloria Parrish

In Loving Memory of

Gloria Parrish

January 16, 1940 – November 25, 2025

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at Northside Gwinnett Hospital in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and surrounded by loving family, Gloria Parrish entered peaceful rest and stepped into the joy of her Lord. Born in New Jersey on January 16, 1940, Gloria's extraordinary journey became a living testament to faith, family, and the transforming power of unconditional love that touched countless lives.

After graduating from high school, Gloria met the love of her life, Cornell Parrish. The two were united in marriage on July 1, 1961, beginning a beautiful union that was blessed with five children.

Gloria was a mother in the truest sense - deeply devoted to her own children while opening her heart and home to countless others. The Parrish home was always filled with children that were not biologically hers, but who she loved as her own. Gloria's home became a sanctuary filled with warmth, laughter, good food, and the unmistakable feeling of belonging. She had a remarkable gift for making everyone feel like family, and those who were embraced by her love knew they had found something precious and rare. Many who passed through her doors found not only a place to stay, but a place where they were seen, cherished, encouraged and truly loved.

Professionally, Gloria built an impressive career at New Jersey Bell/Bell Atlantic, where she served in management for many years. She was known for her strong work ethic, excellent leadership, and unwavering dedication. Never one to be limited by a single path, she went on to obtain both her real estate license and her tax preparer certification and license. In each of these fields, Gloria excelled with the same excellence, integrity, and attention to detail that she brought to every aspect of her life.

A master of interior and fashion design, Gloria possessed a creative eye that could transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Her skilled hands brought imagination to life through sewing, crafting, and home staging. From custom drapes, slip covers and wall designs to flooring, accessories, and color schemes, each project carried her distinctive touch of elegance and style.

A true glamour girl at heart, Gloria loved all things beauty and had an innate talent for coordinating every detail from hair, nails, and makeup to clothes, shoes, jewelry, and handbags - always with effortless grace. Her creativity knew no bounds; she could purchase fabric during her lunch break and walk in the next day wearing a beautifully finished outfit, a reflection of both her remarkable skill and her gifted spirit.

Above all else, Gloria loved her Lord with deep devotion. She loved discipleship and sharing the love of Jesus Christ with others. In New Jersey, she served faithfully as a Lay Minister, Elder, and Discipleship Instructor. Her leadership was marked by wisdom, compassion, and an authentic faith that inspired and encouraged all who knew her. Gloria's ministry was never confined to a title or a building; it was woven into her conversations, her hospitality, and the way she cared for people.

When Gloria relocated from New Jersey, her ministry did not pause-it simply moved with her. She taught Bible studies in her home, welcomed neighbors and friends into fellowship, and continued to pour into others through prayer and teaching. Later, she became a member of Ray of Hope Christian Church, where she found joy in serving God's people in new ways.

At Ray of Hope, Gloria's first served in the Reconnection Ministry, a ministry dedicated to picking up and serving homeless men and women on Sunday mornings with meals, fellowship, discipleship, and prayer. This was a natural fit for her heart. She cherished the opportunity to share Jesus one-on-one and in small, intimate groups where hearts could truly be touched and transformed. She was equally passionate about teaching classes at Hope Institute on Saturdays, where she poured her love for the Word of God into those eager to grow in their faith.

When her husband's illness required her presence at home, Gloria did not let distance or circumstances hinder the call to teach and disciple. Long before virtual ministry became common, she was navigating new ways to connect by using Skype Video when it first launched in 2005. Using her technical and administrative gifts, she formed a class that gathered her children and others from different states every week, allowing her to continue sharing the love and light of Christ from where she was.

Gloria understood that the church is not merely a building, but the people of God. She embodied this truth by bringing ministry with her wherever life led-whether in the workplace, at home, on the phone, or from a hospital bed. Her love for the Lord, her family, and her church-along with her heartfelt love, admiration and respect for her pastor, Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Hale remained steadfast even in the demanding seasons of caregiving. Week after week, she rose early on Sunday mornings to ensure that both she and her husband would be at church together.

When her own health began to decline, Gloria could still be found praying from her home or hospital bed. Her unwavering faith in Jesus Christ remained the anchor of her soul through every season - through joy and sorrow, strength and weakness, gain and loss. Even in difficult days, she continued to encourage others, to speak life, and to trust God completely.

Gloria was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cornell Parrish, Sr., her son, Larry Snipe, and her grandson, Cornell Parrish, III. Left to cherish her precious memory are her children: Debra Parrish, Cornell (Lori) Parrish, Jr., Tonya (Ivan) Sumter, and Clifton Parrish; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law; one goddaughter; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends whose lives were forever enriched by knowing her. Each one carries a piece of her legacy, whether in a recipe she shared, a prayer she prayed, a lesson she taught, or the quiet strength of her example.

Gloria Parrish lived a life of purpose, beauty, creativity, and, most of all, love - love for God, love for her family, and love for all who crossed her path. Her legacy of faith, generosity, hospitality, and grace will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who were blessed to call her mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, friend, and sister in Christ.

His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness! Matthew 25:21 (NIV)

May her beautiful soul rest in the eternal joy and peace of the Lord.

Well done, Gloria. Well done.

The family has requested that all floral contributions be sent to Ray of Hope Church, 2778 Snapfinger Road, Decatur, GA 30034.

Please express your condolences here on our website. Services entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Home, Gwinnett Chapel 914 Scenic Hwy., Lawrenceville, GA 30045. 770-338-5558