Cover photo for Phylis Larue Parnell's Obituary
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Phylis

Phylis Larue Parnell

d. October 25, 2021

Phylis Larue Parnell, age 80, passed away on Monday, October 25, 2021, at her home in Wadeville, where she had lived almost her entire life.

A Graveside service will be conducted by Rev. Tony Sedberry at 3:00 PM on Sunday, October 31, 2021, at Wadeville Baptist Church with visitation to follow in the church fellowship hall.  The body will lie in repose at Pugh Troy Funeral Home, 211 N. Main St., Troy, NC, on Saturday, October 30th, 2021, from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM for anyone who wishes to pay respects.

Born April 10, 1941, Phylis was the youngest child of Adam Lincoln and Kate Blue Parnell.  She graduated from Mount Gilead High School where she was a class officer and played on the girls’ basketball team.

Upon graduation she went to work at McRae Shoe Factory and later worked several years for Texas Boot Company in Tennessee.  When her father died, she returned home to care for her mother.  She and Arba Owens operated the Mt. Gilead Shoe Repair Shop, and later ParDell Shoes in Norwood and Biscoe.  After this long career related to footwear, she changed gears and became a store manager for the Troy Subway Restaurant and later regional consultant with Subway Restaurants in Mooresville, Cornelius, and surrounding areas.  Her outgoing, creative personality was a perfect fit for these jobs.

In her spare time, Phylis wrote children’s stories for her nieces and nephews, even making toys to go with them at times.  She wrote poems for special occasions like weddings of family members and did wood carving.  She created a whole line of pine knot creatures complete with a back story for each one.  Her imagination was boundless.  While she never had children of her own, her nieces and nephews basked in her attention and adored her fun-loving spirit.

Toward the end of her life, she was working on a hymn about her heavenly home.  She looked forward greatly to getting there, seeing Jesus, and being reunited with her beloved family members.  In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by all of her siblings: brothers A.L., J.T., LeRoy, Philip, Bobby, and Joe Parnell, and sisters: Helen P. Hutchinson and Ann P. Elkins, (two other siblings died in infancy).  She was also predeceased by her dearest friend and companion, Arba Owens, who became like another sister and was an integral part of the family for many years.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 4600 Park Rd., Suite 150, Charlotte, NC 28209 or to The Cowboy Church, c/o Tony Sedberry, 1274 Robedo Rd., Mt. Gilead, NC 27306.

On-line condolences may be made at www.pughfuneralhome.com.

Pugh Troy Funeral Home is serving the family of Phylis Parnell.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Phylis Larue Parnell, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Lie in Repose

Saturday, October 30, 2021

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Pugh - Troy Funeral Home

211 N Main St, Troy, NC 27371

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Graveside Service

Sunday, October 31, 2021

3:00 - 4:00 pm

Wadeville Baptist Church Cemetery

144 Shoe Factory Rd, Mount Gilead, NC 27306

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

Burial

Sunday, October 31, 2021

Starts at 3:00 pm

Wadeville Baptist Church Cemetery

144 Shoe Factory Rd, Mount Gilead, NC 27306

Enter your phone number above to have directions sent via text. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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