Charlotte “Patsy” Gleeson Parrish, age 89, of Clarkesville, Georgia, passed away on Saturday, October 27, 2018, after spending a life of service to her community through her years as a pharmacist.
Patsy was born on June 22, 1929, in New Jersey, to the late Charles and Irene Gleeson and moved to Jeffersonville, Georgia, with her family at a young age. She was one of the first female pharmacy graduates from the UGA School of Pharmacy in 1950 and worked in her field until the age of 84. Patsy loved working at the independent pharmacies and being close with her customers. She worked at several known pharmacies, each of which had a great soda fountain: Toomers Drug in Auburn, AL, Turpen Drugs in Clarkesville, GA, and ended her career with Valley Pharmacy in Dillard, GA. After moving to Clarkesville in 1969 with her children, Patsy became a part of the community and was able to fulfill her love of dance with Dance-A-Lott Studios. She taught ballroom dancing, competed in disco dance, and enjoyed square dancing with her husband of many years, Jim Parrish. Patsy’s love of the outdoors led to her making her home in the woods of Hollywood in 1972, where she spent her life enjoying walks in the woods, watching the deer and other wildlife in her yard, and wondering when she would see the bear. She was a member of Antioch Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husbands: Lamar Jackson, George Spears, and James Parrish.
She is survived by her children and their spouses: Charles and Nancy Jackson of Athens, Richard and Ann Spears of Clarkesville, Manjula Judi and Rich Spears of Athens, Corrie and David Overton of Clarkesville, and James and Juliett Spears of Woodbridge, UK; eight grandchildren: Deke Spears of Atlanta, Courtney Jackson of FL, Emily Spears, Lauden Spears, Bethany Spears, and Corrie Spears all of Woodbridge, UK, Reid Overton of NC, and Murphy Overton of OR; and three great-grandchildren of the UK.
A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2018, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, Demorest, Georgia, with Rev. Brian Stephens officiating.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm until the service hour on Sunday at the funeral home.
Donations may be made “In Memory of Patsy Parrish”, to the animal shelter of one’s choice.
Those wishing to express online condolences to the family may do so by visiting www.whitfieldfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia.
