Obituary of Walter J. Parsons

Walter Junior Parsons, 84, of Brownwood Road, Deep Gap, passed away Wednesday December 4, 2013 at his home. Born July 15, 1929 in Watauga County, he was a son of Walter William and Nellie Miller Parsons. Mr. Parsons was a long time member of Bethany Lutheran Church. The love of his life was his family and the light of his life was his grandchildren. He enjoyed the planting and harvest of his vegetable gardens and tending to his domestic animals. Mr. Parsons retired from Broyhill Furniture in Lenoir. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Betty Lou Hodges Parsons; daughter, Wanda Short and husband, Don, of Deep Gap; daughter-in-law, Teresa Parsons, of Butler, TN; four grandchildren, Melissa Schnieder and Justin Short, both of West Jefferson, Rebecca Lipford and husband, Heath, of Trade, TN, and Luke Short and wife, Kellen, of Boone; four great-grandchildren, Dylan Short, Elijah, Ethan and Ayden Schneider; brother, James Parsons and wife, Elree, of Lenoir; and three sisters, Ethel Jones of Todd, Ola Walker of Hickory, and Vergie Moretz of Boone. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Maurice Parsons; two brothers, Clarence and Howard Parsons; and two sisters, Lucille Watson and Ophelia Watson. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, December 7, at 2 PM at Bethany Lutheran Church, officiated by Pastor John Bollinger and Vicar James Smith. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 12:30 until 2 o�clock, prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow in Old Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Medi-Home Hospice, PO Box 1357, Newland, NC 28657, or to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1030 Big Hill Road, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Parsons family.