Carolyn Blackwell Parrish

Virginia Carolyn Blackwell Parrish, 76 of Thomasville, passed away May 20, 2022, at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem.

A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, May 28, 2022 at the Davidson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Crook officiating. Inurnment will follow in the Hedrick’s Grove Reformed United Church of Christ Columbarium. The family will see friends from 9:30 to 10:30 am Saturday at the funeral home.

Carolyn was born August 22, 1945 in Davidson County, NC to the late Richard Rudolph Blackwell Sr. and Doris Virginia Legans Blackwell. Carolyn was a devoted member of the church and the church choir at Hedrick’s Grove Reformed UCC. Carolyn had a love for music that started at an early age. Her musical interests were always varied. She played piano for her home church at age 12. She was a recorded vocalist with folk group The Bill Christopher Trio in the early 1970’s. Through the years she taught and played piano and organ. She sang soprano in several choral societies in the area, and she served as Music Minister at various churches with the latest being at Hedrick’s Grove Reformed UCC Church in Lexington, NC.

Anyone who met Carolyn knew her passion for music paled in comparison to her heart for her family, friends and animals which were her greatest joy. She lit every room she entered with a quick wit, a funny story and beautiful smile. We know she continues to smile on us all from Heaven.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents and brother Richard Rudolph Blackwell Jr. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 50 years, Warren Steven “Steve” Parrish of the home, son Seth Parrish and wife Tanya of Greensboro, sister Mary Jane Blackwell Gerstein and husband Donald of Lake Wylie, S.C., her grandchildren who were the joy in her life, Adalynn Parrish, Gabi Boyd and Nate Boyd. She is also survived by nephews John Evan Tysinger, Richard Rudolph Blackwell III, sister-in-law Debbie Craven and husband Jack of High Point, and cousin David Jordan of Wilmington, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hedrick’s Grove Reformed United Church of Christ, 3840 Allred Road, Lexington, NC 27292 or to an animal rescue of your choice.

Condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net