Rhea A. Parris

RHEA ALEXANDER PARRIS HIGH POINT - Rhea Alexander Parris, 93, of High Point, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on Jan. 19, 2014. She was born in Alexander on June 7, 1920. Her parents were the late Norman James and Vauda Carrie Bridges Alexander. Rhea attended French Broad High School and married Dennis Van Parris on Jan. 8, 1936. Rhea worked with her husband, Dennis, as a bookkeeper for his business, Dennis Parris Heating. Her hobbies included gardening and cooking. There was always a surplus of food and company at the Parris home because everyone loved her cooking. Rhea was an active charter member of Alexander Baptist Church where she served as the custodian and enjoyed singing in the choir and in a gospel quartet. She was a precinct judge for the Board of Elections in Alexander for more than 30 years. Rhea drove a school bus for Buncombe County Schools for several years. Widowed after 62 years, Rhea married Richard Keyes in 2001. They relocated to Seattle, Wash., and traveled between there and High Point until his death in 2011. Rhea was also preceded in death by her sister, Hazel Goforth, and her son-in-law, William Bruce Gray, Jr. Rhea is survived by her children, Gary Keith Parris and wife Sandra Rice Parris, of Virginia Beach, Va. and Janet Parris-Gray of Archdale, N.C., and grandchildren, Jeremy Parris, Dennis Jack (DJ) Parris, Christopher Parris and Leslie Martin and husband Shane Martin. She also is survived by 3 great granddaughters. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2013 at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville. Her private graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m., Thursday in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, 901 Aiken Rd., Asheville with Rev. Gerald Sprinkle officiating. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Parris' obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2013 at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville. Her private graveside service will take place at 11:00 a.m., Thursday in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, 901 Aiken Rd., Asheville with Rev. Gerald Sprinkle officiating.