Ruth Elizabeth "Betty" Parrish 1915 - 2009

TOPEKA — Ruth Elizabeth “Betty” Parrish, 94, died Nov. 9 at Brewster Place in Topeka. She was born May 29, 1915, in Great Bend, one of two daughters of Lester and Gertrude Cox. She was graduated from Great Bend High School in 1932 and from the University of Kansas in 1936 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, with a double major in Psychology and Sociology. At KU, she was president of Chi Omega Sorority and was a member of the Mortar Board Honor Society. She married Major General Clement C. “Monte” Parrish on Oct. 16, 1937. He preceded her in death on Dec. 25, 1985.

When her husband was called to active duty at the beginning of World War II, Mrs. Parrish took control of the family hotel and restaurant businesses in Great Bend and managed them successfully until the war was over. When the war ended, Mrs. Parrish and her husband continued to build their business and purchased a farm south of Great Bend.

Betty moved to Topeka in 1977 to retire, but retirement was not to be her mission. She quickly became involved in assisting political candidates and developed a new career in the Constituent Services Office of Gov. John Carlin.

Mrs. Parrish was a member of the Highland Park United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Parrish loved politics and her KU Jayhawks, but most importantly she loved her family.

Survivors include four sons and two daughters, Monte M. (Tana) Parrish of Ames, Iowa; James W. (Nancy) Parrish of Topeka; Herbert Victor Parrish of San Francisco, Calif.; Claire Parrish of Carmel, Calif.; Annie (Bruce) Tharp of Los Angeles; and John Lester Parrish of Parsons. She also leaves nine grandchildren, including Kylar (Jessie) Anderson of Dallas, Texas, Brandon (Katie) Tharp of Yuma, Ariz., Hunter Parrish of Los Angeles, W.T. (Robin) Moody, Les Parrish, Tyler Parrish and Monte Parrish, all of Topeka, Jamie (Jeff) Parrish Lomber of Portland, Ore., Michael (Tirsa) Parrish of Gilroy, Calif., and Dr. David (Jessi) Sosnouski of Ames, Iowa. She leaves two nieces and one nephew including Carol (Chuck) Nicholson of Topeka, Joy (Dennis) Walker of Lancaster, Pa., and Charles (Rita) Parrish of Westchester, Ill. She leaves numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. She also leaves 15 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 SE Michigan in Topeka. Private inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Highland Park United Methodist Church Music Department, 2914 SE Michigan Ave., Topeka, KS 66605. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabelTopeka.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Penwell-Gabel Funeral Homes, Crematory & Cemetery*
Southeast Chapel
2843 SE Minnesota Ave.
Topeka, KS 66605
(785) 266-6700
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Nov. 13, 2009