Gabriel Ernest Parsons

February 6, 1928 - September 26, 2011

Gabriel Ernest Parsons, age 83, of Sandy Hook, Kentucky passed away Monday, September 26, 2011 at St Claire Regional Medical Center in Morehead, Kentucky following an extended illness. Mr Parsons was born on February 6, 1928, at Bruin, Kentucky, a son of the late James Thomas and Bessie Mobley Parsons. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by four brothers, Thearl Parsons, Burl Parsons, Edgar Parsons and Fred Parsons; three sisters, Jewell Dickerson, Marie Redwine and Mabel Rogers. Ernest was a former school teacher, farmer, construction worker, service station manager, coal operator and PVA. In all these positions, he enjoyed meeting and serving people. He was a Christian and attended Newfoundland Community Church. He was also a Kentucky Colonel. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. He is survived by his devoted wife, Lucille Knipp Parsons; four children, Gary Ernest Parsons of Ashland, Kentucky, Dr Charles Elwood Parsons (Debra) of Richmond, Kentucky, Dena Parsons Smith (Malcolm) of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, and Rocky Lane Parsons (Bonita) of Morehead, Kentucky; seven grandchildren, Susan Parsons Rothman (Geoff) of Lexington, Kentucky, Misty Skaggs of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, Jennifer Parsons Skinner (Jason) of Richmond, Kentucky, Kari Smith Hart (Jonathan) of Nicholasville, Kentucky, Eric Parsons of Sandy Hook, Kentucky, Elizabeth Parsons of Louisville, Kentucky, Miranda Smith of Sandy Hook, Kentucky; one great-grandchild, Logan Skinner of Richmond, Kentucky; one sister, Mary Alice White Gilliam of Mt Sterling, Kentucky. Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 30, 2011 in the Chapel of Waddell & Whitt Funeral Home in Sandy Hook, Kentucky with Rev. Eddie Rice officiating. Burial will follow in the Elliott County Memory Gardens in Sandy Hook, Kentucky. Friends may call from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, September 29, 2011 and after 9:00 a.m., Friday until the service hour at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Ernest’s memory may be made to the St Claire Foundation, 222 Medical Circle, Morehead, Kentucky 40351 or http://www.st-claire.org/foundation.php. Eric Parsons, Jonathan Hart, Jason Skinner, Geoff Rothman, Shannon White and Tony Blankenbeckler will serve as pallbearers. Elwood Knipp, Raymond Knipp, Arnold Knipp, Ernie Gilliam and Keith Mason will serve as honorary pallbearers.