Kathleen Caudill Parrish, 96, passed away on December 27, 2017.  Kathleen was born in Smethport, North Carolina on October 16, 1921.  She was the daughter of the late Howard and Bonnie Caudill. 

She is survived by her loving family: son, Watts Bryan Parrish Jr. and wife, Sue; daughter, Bonnie Parrish Weldon and husband, Cled; two grandchildren, Kathy Parrish Nelson and husband, Bryce, and Bryan Parrish and wife, Ashley; three great-grandchildren, Rebecca Nelson, Reed Nelson and Owen Parrish; sisters-in-law, Carol Caudill and Martha Caudill; and many nieces and nephews who affectionately call her “Aunt Kat” and many loving extended family members.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Watts Bryan (Pete) Parrish, brothers, Jack Caudill and Howard Caudill and sister, Ruth Caudill Haggard. 

Kathleen’ s childhood years were spent in Bluefield, West Virginia, Lake Wales, Florida and Durham, North Carolina.  She graduated from Hope Valley High School in Durham.  She attended nurses’ training school at Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland.  She married the love of her life, Pete, in Durham on March 7, 1942 just a few months after Pearl Harbor.  During WWII she and Pete lived in Mississippi, Wisconsin and Texas while he served in the Army Air Corps.  After the war, they returned to Durham where they were blessed with their son, Watts, Jr. and daughter, Bonnie.  In 1961, they moved to Goldsboro.  She taught kindergarten for St. Luke United Methodist Church, and also served as a kindergarten teacher’s assistant in the Goldsboro Public School System for many years.  After her husband passed away in 1987, she took many guided tours with various groups and traveled all over the US.  Kathleen and Pete were members of St.  Luke United Methodist Church since 1961.

Kathleen always enjoyed traveling and spending time with her friends and family.  She looked forward to the annual Caudill Family Reunion in Ashe County, N.C.  In 2004 she moved to The Pines of Goldsboro Assisted Living.  There she enjoyed the fun and fellowship of many new friends. 

A graveside service will be held Wednesday, January 03, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park.  The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society.

The family is in the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.

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