Nellie Dawkins Parsons

Nellie Dawkins Parsons, 85, of Ellerbe passed away Thursday, September 8, 2016 at her home. Mrs. Parsons was born August 3, 1931 in Richmond County, a daughter of the late James Monroe and Ida Thompson Dawkins. She was a graduate of Rockingham High School, a member of Rourk Presbyterian Church, an honorary lifetime member of the Presbyterian Women, NC Beekeepers Association, Richmond County Beekeepers and the Ellerbe Civitan Club. She had owned and operated Pate’s Cleaners in Ellerbe for 30 years. Following her retirement, she opened the Plunder Barn and also owned Village Laundromat. In January of 2016 she was presented North Carolina’s highest civilian honor, The Order of The Long Leaf Pine. She was also honored as a Fellow of the Civitan International Research Center. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Pate Franklin Parsons, a grandchild, Christopher Parsons, great grandchildren, Kayla and Cameron and siblings, Martha Ann Rushing, Alma Louise Dawkins, James Linwood Dawkins, Ruth Armijane Haigler, William Oscar Dawkins, Nedham Harold Dawkins, Richard Curtis Dawkins, Clyde Paul Dawkins, Mary Edith Ray, Harvey Rufus Dawkins and an infant brother. Surviving are her children, Susan Slate of Cordova, TN , John Parsons (Betty) of Ellerbe, Connie McLendon (Ronnie) of Ellerbe, Ed Parsons (Donna) of Ellerbe; grandchildren, Jennifer Cipriani (Matthew), Kellee Edlin (Shane), Maari Clements (Claiborne), Monroe Parsons, James Parsons (Denise), Joni Parsons, Catelyn McLendon and fiancé Matt Baldwin, Jason Parsons and Wesley Parsons (Courtney Holmes); great grandchildren, Zoe, Joshua, Debriah, Braxton, Miriam, Cooper, Grayson Pate, Jade, Noelle, Julian, Carli, Alex, Matt and Halle. Funeral services will be at 3pm Sunday at Rourk Presbyterian Church with Rev. John Stone and Rev. Donnie Davis officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will see friends from 5 to 7 pm Saturday at Carter Funeral Home in Ellerbe and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Rourke Presbyterian Church, Building Fund, c/o Tommy Kennedy, 148 Lakeshore Dr., Rockingham, NC 28379.