Cdr Whitney W. Parrish

CDR WHITNEY W. PARRISH CHC, USN, RET. STAUNTON, VA Chaplain Whitney W. Parrish, retired United Methodist minister, 87, husband of Dixie Lee (Marcum) Parrish, passed away Tuesday, November 10, 2015, at home. Whitney was born October 18, 1928, in Brunswick County, VA, the son of the late Samuel E. and Rebecca L. Parrish. In addition to his parents, Chaplain Parrish was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Hutchinson Parrish, and his nine siblings. In addition to his wife Dixie, Rev. Parrish is survived by a son, Terry (Elizabeth); two daughters, Nita Randall (Newell) and Elizabeth Parrish; a stepson, Todd Lines; a stepdaughter, Cathy Oliveros (Alex); grandchildren, Ryan Parrish, Karen Wilck (Joe), Jennifer Marshall (Gardner), and Brittany Parrish; three step grandchildren, Charlie Lines, Kaelin Cali, and Mykaela Cali; and great granddaughters, Abigail and Hannah Wilck, and Mia Sanford. Prior to entering the ministry, Whitney served ten years in the Marine Corps, a year as Company Commander in Korea. After resigning from the Marines, he went to theological school, and returned to the military as a Navy Chaplain, where he served for 25 years, giving him a total of 35 years in the military. After retirement and moving to the Staunton area, Rev. Parrish served as interim pastor at St. John's Reformed United Church of Christ, Staunton, at Newport UCC, Newport, and at Shenandoah UCC, Shenandoah. His last pastorate was the Rockbridge United Methodist Charge, Buena Vista and Lexington areas. The family will receive friends from 1 until 3 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2015 in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 3 p.m. Interment will be on Saturday November 14, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Smyrna Christian Church Cemetery, King and Queen County, with military honors. Reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to Arbor Hill Church of the Brethren or the SPCA of Staunton.