Betty Parsons

Betty H. Parsons, 82, of Hilton head Island, South Carolina passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 18, 2016 in Kennesaw, Georgia. Mrs. Parsons was born Elizabeth Anne Holleran on July 18, 1934 in Atlanta, Georgia to Patrick Henry and Willie Mae Holleran. She graduated from Stephen D. Lee High School in Columbus, Mississippi in 1952 and attended Mississippi University for Women. Betty made a career of volunteering in the service of others wherever she lived, brightening many lives. In Fayetteville, Tennessee, she was a Girl Scout troop leader. In Nashville, she served in several capacities with the Nashville Symphony Guild including running the pet booth at the annual Italian Street Fair fundraiser. She was a Cub Scout den mother, worked with families in poverty, and was a foster parent. Accompanying her husband Mack to construction career postings in the Middle East and Greece, she was active in American Women's organizations in Doha, Qatar and Athens, Greece. The Parsons were world travelers for both business and pleasure throughout the Middle East, South Asia, Africa, and the Far East. While living in Greece, they sailed their own sailing sloop, The "Kinderspiel" through the Aegean and the Mediterranean. Upon Mack's retirement from Perini Corp. in Boston, the Parsons moved to Hilton Head Island in 1986 where Betty again became involved in volunteer work. The Parsons were charter members of Providence Presbyterian Church where both were active in numerous roles. Betty served as a Stephen Minister and on various committees which could use her prodigious telephone and caregiving skills. She was also actively involved with a number of civic groups and charities on the island. Betty was a longtime yoga enthusiast having taught in Nashville and other places. In addition to her parents and Dexter and J.C. Rice, the aunt and uncle who raised her, she was preceded in death by her first husband Douglas Rambo and her husband of 43 years, Mack Parsons. She is survived by her son Frank Rambo of Marietta, Georgia and Mack's children by a previous marriage, Susan Conrad (Reed) of Eugene, Oregon, David Parsons of Antioch, Tennessee, Daniel Parsons of Vancouver, Washington, and Nancy Parsons of Richardson, Texas. She is also survived by three grandsons, Sam and Andy Conrad of Eugene, Oregon and Luke Parsons of Antioch, Tennessee. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Providence Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at 2 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Providence Presbyterian Church, 171 Cordillo Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, Mississippi University for Women, or a charity of your choice. Saturday, September 17, 2016 Get Directions on Google Maps