Laura Eisenhardt Parrish

Laura Eisenhardt Parrish passed peacefully in her sleep on January 14, 2024, at the age of 73, after a two-decade battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Laura was born to John and Anna Eisenhardt on November 18, 1950. Growing up in Port Jefferson, Long Island (NY), she graduated from Longwood High School in 1968 and attended Suffolk Community College where she focused on secretarial studies. In her youth, she was an avid bowler and horse enthusiast. These passions stayed with her throughout her life. Shortly after graduation, she packed her bags and moved to Ashland, Virginia. Once in Virginia, she met her former spouse, Michael Parrish, and they had two sons, John and David. She found her niche in the medical billing field where she worked for Ashland Convalescent Center, Ashland Medical Center, and Richmond Pediatrics Associates, Inc., where she retired in 2011 as a medical billing supervisor. In addition to being a dedicated and loving mother, Laura was a dedicated Christian who gave her life to Jesus Christ. After a long search, she finally found her spiritual home at Elon Baptist Church (Ruther Glen, Virginia). Throughout her entire life, she held an unwavering faith in God, which she shared with those who surrounded her. Among other activities, she served on the church choir and financially supported countless mission trips for those who spread the word of God both home and abroad. Laura was a proud supporter of the military and those in public service. She was always a supporter and advocate of the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and graduated from the inaugural class of the Citizens Police Academy in 1995. She volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician at the Ashland Rescue Squad and later held leadership roles in the Ashland Rescue Squad Auxiliary and the Montpelier Fire Department Auxiliary. She was a Life Member of the VFW Post 10657’s Ladies Auxiliary where she served as treasurer for a number of years. Laura also volunteered her time with the Civil Air Patrol where she served as a 1st Lieutenant, and adult advisor, of her son’s (David) platoon. She was also an advocate for mental health awareness and volunteered her time with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). She participated in many successful fundraising events which helped support local NAMI affiliates across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Laura joins her parents, John and Anna; her twin sister, Mary; and her granddaughter, Emilia, in Heaven and will be reunited with the man who ended up being the love of her life, Dale Figley. She is survived by her brothers, Johnny and Joseph (Debbie); her two sons, John (Nicole) and David (Jenni); and her six grandchildren that she loved more than anything on Earth: Mackenzie, Karleigh, Charlotte, Luke, Hallie, and Nathaniel. She is also survived by her many cousins, nieces, nephews, and loved ones. She will be deeply missed by her two best friends, the two girls that she loved as if they were her own daughters, Brandy and Nicole Snow, who gave her the nickname “Ahma” meaning mother to all. A funeral service will be held at Elon Baptist Church (14031 Verdon Road, Ruther Glen, Virginia, 22546), on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at 2:00 PM, with a graveside service to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Elon Baptist Church in her honor.