Rena Griffith Parrish

Parrish, Rena Griffith, 89, passed away January 14, 2004 after a short illness. Rena was born December 20, 1914 in Tarentum, PA. She and her family moved to Ft. Lauderdale in 1926. As a child she loved the ocean and Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Rena graduated from Ft. Lauderdale High School in 1932. She married A. Wesley Parrish Sr., in May of 1936 and they moved to Pompano Beach. There they had two children and opened an appliance business on Atlantic Blvd. The ran the business together for more than 30 years. After his death in 1985 she continued to work at Parrish Appliance's with her son until last April. She was a member of The First United Methodist Church of Pompano Beach for over 60 years and helped build the original chapel. Rena was recognized as a pioneer of Broward County. She is survived by her son A. Wesley Parrish Jr. and his wife Barbara of Coconut Creek; daughter, Rena Patricia (Tish) Simerly of Hampton, VA. Her beloved grandchildren, Julian C. Simerly III (Lindsey), Bonnie Jean Parrish Rotunda (Tony); A. Wesley Parrish III, Lisa Simerly Morrow (Mark), Steven McKinstry Parrish (Marina), Thad Hollingsworth Simerly, and Michael Dale Parrish. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2004 at the First United Methodist Church Chapel of Pompano Beach, 210 NE 3 Street at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Pompano Bch. Arrangements by: KRAEER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION CENTER 200 N. Federal Highway Pompano Beach, FL 33062 954-941-4111.