Sunday, May 5, 2024
Betty Jane Parrish, age 80, of Dallas, died on Friday, May 12, 2023, in Hamilton.
Betty was born in Hamilton on September 16, 1942, to Roland Edgar Parrish and Montie Octava Hampton Parrish. The family of eight moved from Hamilton to Jonesboro, then to Mound and ultimately to Gatesville where Betty became known for her artistic talent and her voice. She was frequently asked to sing for school plays and Church groups. Though only 4’11” tall, she played on the basketball team and could compete gymnastically with the best. She graduated from Gatesville High School and Durham Business College in Waco before marrying Marvin Cummings of Gatesville. Betty and Marvin moved to San Clemente, California, where he was stationed in the Marine Corps. In the early 1970’s, they returned to Texas with their two children, Parrish and Margo.
Though Betty held administrative and management positions at a variety of companies, including AT&T, Hancock Fabrics and Professional Medical Services, her passion was home and family. She was an extraordinary seamstress, creative homemaker, and an entertainer of children. Having been raised in the Southern Baptist Church, Betty lived her life in accord with her strong Christian beliefs. She also served her community as a member and an officer with the Kiwanis Club.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Shannon Kincaid Stringer of Galway, Ireland and Margo Marie Cummings of Richardson; three granddaughters, Randi Rene Hampton of Greenville, Parrish Janessa Hampton of Richardson, and Arden Stringer of Galway, Ireland; three grandsons, Obie Stringer and Kincaid Stringer of Galway, Ireland and Michael Hampton of Richardson; two great-granddaughters, Eva Spoon and Kambri Babbitt; two sisters, Ann Gilkey of Waco and Elaine Parrish Clark of Dallas; one brother, Robert Parrish of Hamilton; and 70 nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Roland Edgar Parrish and Montie Octava Parrish, her brother, Edgar Brooks Parrish, sister, Lilly Octava Parrish and her son, Parrish Tyrone Cummings.
Celebration of life will be at Evergreen Baptist Church in Hamilton on June 24, 2023.
