George Lee "G.L." Parson, Jr.

George Lee Parson, Jr., 89, of Stony Creek, Virginia passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday evening, November 3, 2012. The son of the late Virgie and George Lee Parson, Sr., he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 65 years, Mary Elizabeth and four sisters, Ruby Jones, Virginia Parson, Shirley Andrews and Fran Harris. A devoted husband and father, “Papa” is survived by his three daughters, Pat Graham, Anne Everett, her husband, Lance; and Julie Parson; seven grandchildren, Larry and Luke Graham, Christopher Everett, his wife, Amy, Randy Everett, his wife, Melissa, and Joshua, Chelsea and Darby Boyd; seven great-grandchildren, Regan, Laine, Natalie, Bryce, Alexis, Jake and Addison Everett; his sister-in-law, Mrs. Ivan McDowell Butterworth, Sr. also survives him. A longtime farmer and merchant in Southside Virginia, G. L. managed the family farm until he retired in 1989. Before its closing in 2006, a stop at Parson’s Store would find G. L. and other local farmers gathered around the pot-bellied stove discussing farming, hunting, fishing, etc. On a rainy day, when it was “too wet to plow” as G.L.’s father used to say, Parson’s Store was a busy place. During World War II, G.L. answered the call of duty to his country by serving in the United States Army Air Force. A 1979 graduate of Southside Virginia Community College in Alberta, he served his community as a member of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Committee for thirty-six years. His banking institution was always The Bank of Southside Virginia. G.L. Served on its Board of Directors from 1976-1993. G.L. reaped joy from the simple things in life. He and Mary Elizabeth loved to dance and enjoyed going with friends to Arthur Murray in Richmond in their younger years. G.L. enjoyed hunting birds, squirrels and rabbits and running his dogs. His passion for baseball ran deep; he was a player/coach for the Old Hickory Club. G.L. often told the story of how he broke his leg sliding into second base. His role reversed from player to faithful fan as he followed grandsons Chris and Randy in game after game. Rarely did he miss a Dinwiddie County High School baseball game when they were playing. He had tremendous pride in seeing his family’s farm continue to operate into the sixth generation and his legacy extended into Nags Head by the Farmer’s Daughter retail stores being named after him. Even in the face of Alzheimer’s, G.L. remained the calm, cool, collected and mannerly southern gentleman he had always been. He enjoyed trips to the mountains, Nags Head, and the river house with Julie, Josh, Chelsea and Darby. He welcomed the Gospel Express from Concord United Methodist Church and frequent visits from members of his church family and Pastor Nathan. G.L.’s birthdays were a time of celebration and always ended, as did holiday gatherings, with hugs and kisses so willingly delivered by his seven great-grandchildren. A funeral service will be conducted 3 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2012 at Concord United Methodist Church in Stony Creek with Pastor Nathan Decker officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Following the interment, the family will receive friends at a reception in the church social hall. Memorial contributions may be made to Concord United Methodist Church, 16703 Walkers Mill Rd, Stony Creek, Virginia 23882.