Ellen Parsons
September 28, 1928 – December 10, 2013
Fannie Ellen Parsons, 85, of Edmond, Oklahoma passed away on December 10, 2013 at home. Ellen was born to Rosa Dyer Johnson and Cecil Clarence Johnson on September 11, 1928 in Roff, Oklahoma. Ellen married the only man she ever had eyes for, Marvin Clarence Parsons (deceased), on May 29, 1944 at the First Baptist Church in Edmond, OK. Brother M.E. Ramey married Marvin and Ellen and later performed marriage ceremonies for both of her daughters. Her siblings include: Lorene Fields (deceased), Juanita Richardson (deceased) and Cecil Lewis Johnson of Pinole, California. She is survived by both of her daughters and their spouses; Jackie and Kenneth Griffin and Sherri and Richard Lawson. From those unions came six grandchildren and spouses: Tiffany & Ricardo Colon, Brett &Ginger Griffin, Jennifer & Tiger Sparger, Heather Lacy, Vicki Hoppes and Staci & Duane Allen and fourteen great grandchildren.
Mrs. Parsons was an active community member; she was a member of the Edmond First Baptist Church, rotary Club member, Mother’s Club member, homeroom mother, nursery worker at the First Baptist Church, and many other organizations. She was a hairdresser from 1958-1965 and the co-owner of Parsons Jewelry from 1945-2013. Parsons Jewelry originated in Oklahoma City on Classen Boulevard in 1945. In 1948, the Parsons’ found a new home in Edmond;
She had a special ability to find value in all people, she loved people. If you had a warm smile for her, you were her friend. She also saw the value in all things old and new; she was a crafter of all sorts; she painted crocheted, sewed, restored antiques and was a collector of many, many treasures. She made many of her granddaughters wedding dresses. Most notably, everyone knew her for the bows she handcrafted and placed on the packages she sold in the jewelry store. If you received a package with a bow from Parsons, you knew you were in for a treat. Ellen Parsons was a gift to the community and to the people who knew and loved her.
Services will be held at Matthews Funeral Home Chapel on Friday December 13, 2013 at 2:00pm with interment to follow.
Jackie and Sherri and families,
I am so sadden to hear about your mother. I have so many good memories of living next door and coming to the jewelry store. I just had knee surgery and won’t be able to come. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Love you, Cynthia
Jackie, I’m so sorry about your mom, she was too young to go for sure. What a sweetheart she was. She is one of the first people Linda told me about when I started running with her. Linda & I just got back into town, sorry I couldn’t make it to her service.
All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. We know she is in a better place, but will miss her terribly.
Love and God bless each of you,
Suzi