Letha Eason Parrish

Letha Eason Parrish, age 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at Smithfield Manor Nursing and Rehab in Smithfield. Born in Johnston County on April 10, 1931, she was a daughter of the late Alvester and Neppie Eason. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Parrish, Jr.; sons, Terry Parrish and Danny Parrish; and granddaughter, Maci Abigail Donleycott.

Letha was a lifetime member of Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. She was the oldest of seven children and dearly loved her five sisters and one brother. Letha was a selfless woman who always put others before herself. She loved to cook, never met a stranger, and truly loved people. Many knew her as their friendly Avon lady, always sharing a smile and kind word wherever she went. Above all, she loved her family and treasured every moment spent with them. Letha loved helping children learn and enjoyed every moment that she spent working with them in school as a teacher’s assistant.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church. The family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow in the Branch Chapel Free Will Baptist Church cemetery.

Letha is survived by her daughters, Wanda Parrish Smith and husband, Larry, of Sneads Ferry, Sheila Parrish Page of Clayton, and Bonnie Donleycott and husband, Patrick, of Selma; grandchildren, Wendy Parrish Phillips, Jonathan Parrish, Zachary Tyndall, Phillip Parrish, and Luke Donleycott; great-grandchildren, Daniel Phillips, Justin Phillips, Alayna Phillips, and Kylee Parrish; sisters, Betty Hill and Teresa Shrum; many nieces and nephews.

Online condolences may be left for the family at parrishfh.com.