Obituary of Charlie Parrish
Charlie “Top” Parrish was born on March 29th, 1939 in Perry County, Alabama to the late Ms. Essie Mae Parrish. He was the first born, eldest son and big brother to fourteen siblings; six of whom preceded him on their journey to Heaven. These siblings fondly and lovingly remembered include: Suell, Roxie, York, Willie D, Frank J. and Jessie J. Parrish. Born in a time shortly after the period of The Great Depression, Charlie spent his early years working along side his mother and siblings picking cotton in the Black Belt of Alabama. Upon deciding to leave home, he settled in the state of New York where he would eventually be joined by his brother Willie D (Bill). Other siblings would come and visit with him for a while as well. As the oldest, “Top,” often financially helped his mother with the younger siblings.
In 1968, Charlie married the late, Evelyn Joyce Smalls. They were married for over fifty (50) years. During that time, a blended family emerged with Top’s son and Evelyn’s three children. Top worked as a driver with Murray’s Chicken for over four decades. During his time at Murray’s Chicken, Charlie became well known to many of his co-workers due in part to his great stature, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall, his big personality and genuine heart.
Top’s many pleasures in life included family, attending church, the Preached Word, First Baptist Church Choir, cooking, feeding friends and family, dancing, listening to music, cracking jokes, laughing and dining out with friends.
Top leaves to cherish his memories: sons, Max James Watts (South Fallsburg, NY), Troy (Jacquelyn) Smalls (Rochester, NY) and Clarence “Darnell” (Tina) Smalls (Harris, NY); daughter, Antonia (Yasinn) Mohamed (Alexandria, VA); two brothers, Charles (Clara) (Cleveland, Ohio) and Laroy Parrish (Birmingham, AL); six sisters, Elizabeth, Mary Francis, Noney Jean Parrish, Gloria D. Bouyer (Cleveland, Ohio), Dorothy (Uleysses) Robinson and Veronica V Parrish (Birmingham, AL); aunt, Bertha H Parrish (Pleasant Grove, AL); sister in law, Ester Smalls (Columbia, SC); brother in law, Leon Smalls (Walterboro, SC); 6 grandchildren, 8 great-grand children, eight nephews, seven nieces, a bevy of grand nieces and nephews and great-grand nieces and nephews, and a special bunch of cousins, coupled with many meaningful friends.
