Ida Dunn Harris Parnell

Mrs. Parnell died Friday evening August 5, 2016 following a long and happy life. She was born in Pavo, Georgia on October 21, 1922 to Nelle Beggs Hinely Harris and Rupert Fletcher Harris. She was raised in Raleigh, NC and educated in its public schools and at St. Mary’s College, where she served in student leadership. She married Edward F. Parnell, Jr. of Charlotte, shortly after his graduation from North Carolina State College and commissioning into the US Army. Following his service in the Pacific, they settled in Charlotte, where they lived the rest of their lives.

Mrs. Parnell was active in Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts and in the life of Avondale Presbyterian Church, where she was a member her entire adult life. She was involved in Avondale’s Women of the Church, where she was elected an honorary life member recognizing her many years of service to the Church. She was a past member of Myers Park Country Club, of two book clubs and of several bridge clubs.

Mrs. Parnell lived the last two decades of her life at Sharon Towers, the Presbyterian Home at Charlotte, where she was active and well cared for.

She is survived by her son E. Fitzgerald Parnell, III and his wife Cookie, by her daughter Laura Parnell Smith and her husband Marshall, by three grandchildren, Kathryn Harris Parnell and her wife Meredith, Edward F. Parnell, IV and Rachel, and Laura-Nelle Foreman Parnell Hurst and her husband Mark, and by a great grandchild Eva Frances Parnell Small.

The family thanks the entire staff at Sharon Towers, and especially the staff on her residence hall, for the love and care given to their mother. Memorials may be made to the Sharon Towers Residents’ Assistance Fund, 5100 Sharon Road, Charlotte, NC 28210. A reception will be held in the City View Clubroom at Sharon Towers on Wednesday, August 10th from 5:00 pm until 6:30 pm. A private ceremony of remembrance will be held at Avondale Presbyterian Church.