Leroy Parris

Mr. Leroy Parris, age 94, of Cliffside, NC, went home to be with His Lord on Tuesday night, December 8, 2020.  He longed for the day to see his beloved wife, Ruby, who had preceded him to heaven in 2017.  Leroy was also preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Jamie Parris, one sister, Georgia Mae Edmunds, and two brothers, James E. and Franklin D. Parris.  Leroy would tell his family and friends that he never expected to live this long, but the Lord knew best.  He enjoyed being surrounded by his family and wanted to share in their lives.  He leaves behind two daughters, Jo Anne Fasolino and husband, Joe, and Peggy Hamrick, whose husband, Roger passed in 2014.  Leroy and Ruby were also preceded in death by their first-born grandchild, Joseph Paul Fasolino.  They were blessed with two granddaughters, Michelle F. Jack and husband Bobby, and Christina F. Lee and husband Johnny.  And Leroy was especially glad to have had the time with his five great grandchildren: Benji Jack, Naomi Jack, Chris Lee, Alexis Jack, and Samantha Lee.  He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews.

Leroy graduated from Cliffside High School in 1944 during WWII.  He joined the US Navy after graduating.  After his basic training, on break in October, Leroy married his school sweetheart, Ruby Johnson.  Then, Leroy was shipped to serve at Pearl Harbor for the duration of the war.
Coming home after the end of the war, Leroy and Ruby began their careers at the Cliffside Textile Mill which later became a division of Cone Mills.  She worked in the office and he began to work up to supervision in the mill.  They were active members in Cliffside Baptist Church.  They enjoyed having their family nearby and the special times with their granddaughters and the great grandchildren.  There were so many good home-cooked meals with family around the table enjoying the bounty from their summer garden that Leroy loved to grow.  After retirement from Cone, they enjoyed traveling and the campground atmosphere.  Eventually, they moved their church membership to State Line Baptist Church, where he had accepted Christ as a child.

Leroy often said that he had enjoyed a full life and he thanked God for it all.

A private graveside service will be conducted. A memorial service will be planned for a later date.  Sympathy cards or letters to the family members can be mailed to the P.O. Box 273, Cliffside, NC 28024.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial gifts be made to State Line Baptist Church, 1328 State Line Rd., Gaffney, SC 29341, the American Red Cross or to organizations that benefit the homeless, the hungry, or missions.