Esther Parsley Meade

Born January 23, 1938 in Inez, Kentucky, Esther’s formative years were spent at school and with family. As the eldest of four children, she was often the caretaker and became adept at juggling a number of household tasks, developing a strong work eth-ic. She also spent many hours learning to sew. Sewing would turn into a lifelong passion for Esther, where she also became expert at needlepoint and quilting. Her handcrafts are works of art.

Following graduation from Inez High School in 1956, Esther married her husband, Robert C. Meade, Sr., and began working for Southern Bell as an operator, working her way up to Business Office Associate. A true “Southern Belle” known for her beauty (she was selected as “Miss Inez” during high school), Esther was chosen to be on the cover of the phone company’s marketing literature during her tenure. Following the death of her husband in 1979, and as the telephone industry began to consolidate, Esther continued her career in business office sales and service and relocated a number of times following a successful career of 40 years, finally retiring in Lawrenceville, Georgia, in 1996. She later moved to Venice, Florida, in order to be closer to her son and grandchildren.

In addition to spending time with her son and his family, Esther loved to travel, and many fellow travelers would become lifelong friends. She also enjoyed horse racing, and for years, never missed a Kentucky Derby, thanks to her companion, Bill Scott. She was active in her community at Venice Golf and Country Club, and was a regular at water aerobics.

Esther is preceded in death by her husband, Robert C. Meade, Sr., parents Elmer Pars-ley and Nola Pemberton Parsley, and sister Anna Parsley Wiley. She is survived by her beloved son, Robert C. Meade, Jr. (Pamela Gore) of Sarasota, Florida, grandson Antonio Lee Lehmann Gore, granddaughter Hannah Elizabeth Gore Meade, brothers Larry Parsley and James Parsley, nieces Sandy Austin Feltner and Paula Lafferty, nephews Tim Parsley and Joseph Parsley, and cherished friend, Bill Scott, along with many other friends and family members. A graveside service will be held at Highland Memorial Park in Staffordsville, Kentucky on Friday, October 6th, at 11:00am, and family and friends are encouraged to attend. A lifelong lover of Labrador Retriever dogs, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Esther Parsley Meade to Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto, Florida (https://www.guidedogs.org