Elizabeth Lewis Parsons, 88, of Saluda and Orlando, Flordia, died quietly and unexpectedly Friday morning, Aug. 17, 2018, in a place she loved living, her summer home in Saluda, The Red Barn. Elizabeth was a warm and caring woman, quick to laugh and always eager for a good game or a great story. She took tremendous joy in opening her home and life for holiday meals and festive events. Elizabeth devoted herself to raising her four children and later gave her time and love tirelessly to her grandchildren.

She was a beloved sister, a dedicated daughter and daughter-in-law, a supportive spouse and a fabulous friend. Elizabeth had a surprising wit and an unexpected strain of mischief (the story of her tiny tattoo dedicated to her 10 grandchildren is a testament to that).

As a lifelong United Methodist, Elizabeth attended lectures, seminars, classes, and workshops for how to be a better instrument of God’s peace and worked to be a source of healing and hospitality where pain or injustice was evident. Loving, witty, kind, mischievous, devoted, playful, hospitable, curious describe Elizabeth. 

Spouse, Friend, Mom and Grandma name her best of all.

Born in Orlando, Florida, she was the daughter of the late Giles Floyd Lewis and Florence Baldwin Lewis. She was the widow of the late Dr. Robert L. Parsons, Sr. who passed away in 2002.

Mrs. Parsons was a graduate of the University of Florida and the University of Central Florida, earning her master’s degree in education with an emphasis on counseling. After graduation, she worked as a counselor at Lake Highland Prep School until she retired.

She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Orlando for 88 years where, among other things, she helped establish the Stephen Minister program.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Richard M. Lewis; and two sisters, her twin Charlotte Lewis Brady and Meriam Lewis.

Surviving are three sons, the Rev. Shepard A. Parsons (Karen Klein) of New Haven, Connecticut, the Rev. Robert L. Parsons, Jr. (Alison Heston) of Saluda and Judd L. Parsons (Mindy) of Boynton Beach, Florida; a daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth “Betsy” Parsons (Robert Purnell) of Hot Springs, Arkansas; two brothers, the Rev. Giles F. Lewis Jr. of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Charles B. Lewis (Darlene) of Hendersonville, North Carolina. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren: Micah, Cody, Savannah, Caleb, Charis, Elizabeth, Zoe, Margaret, Iris and Eli; and daughter-in-law, Serene Jones.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 in the Saluda Methodist Church, with the Rev. Laurie Knoepsel officiating. A memorial service will also be held at First United Methodist Church of Orlando, Florida, at 2 p.m. Sept. 8, with the Rev. Dr. Bob Bushong officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Welcome Table at Saluda UMC or the Saluda United Methodist Church.

An online guest register is available at mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Tryon