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CORAPEAKE, NC – Foster Parrish, 84, of Corapeake, NC, passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2023 in his home where he was being cared for by loved ones.

Mr. Parrish was born in Nelsonville, KY on January 14, 1939, and was the son of the late John William Parrish and Lena Crady Parrish. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Marvin, Lewis, Junior, and Donnie Parrish.

A longtime transmission specialist in the automotive industry, he retired from Cavalier Ford in 2004. A patriotic man, he had a heart for helping others and serving the community in various ways. A member and deacon of Eureka Baptist Church, other areas of service he enjoyed included volunteering with Meals on Wheels, Hertford-Gates Relay for Life, the Gates County Chamber of Commerce, and as a board member on both the Gates County Board of Adjustment and the Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department. He was also a founding and charter member of Corapeake Ruritan Club where he had served in several positions including as Vice-President and President, and was honored to have served a term as the Ruritan Albemarle Region District Governor.

Surviving is his wife of nearly 23 years, Debbie Belch Parrish; five daughters, Cynthia Cobb (Randy) of Moyock, Diana Hayes (Bernie) of Virginia Beach, VA, Suzanne Green (Chuck) of Bel Air, MD, Nancy Massow (Norm) of South Mills, and Lisa Short (David) of Corapeake; a dear friend who Foster thought of as the son he never had, Butch Cochran of Corapeake; two sisters, Dorothy Clemons of Boston, KY and Mattie Gibson of Hodgenville, KY; two brothers, Jimmy Parrish of Nelsonville, KY and Larry Parrish of Louisville, KY; six grandchildren, Emily, Brad, Corey, Brittany, Trey, and Lillie; seven great-grandchildren; and many extended family members and friends.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 11 at 2:00 p.m. in Eureka Baptist Church and will be conducted by Pastors David Lawson and Greg Jernigan. A private burial will follow in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with the family in the social hall of the church the hour prior to the services on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Foster Parrish Scholarship Fund, in care of the Ruritan National Foundation, P.O. Box 487, Dublin, VA 24084. Please designate contributions are for Fund #1795.

Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements, and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.