Barbara Mason Parrish, 89, of Prospect, died Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at Story Point assisted living in Prospect. She was born Feb. 26, 1936, in Louisville. She was a graduate of Eastern High School in Middletown and attended the University of Kentucky.
Early in her career, she served as a legal secretary in the law practice of Frank Haddad Jr.
After marrying Charles W. “Charlie” Parrish Jr., they moved to Memphis where she was a legal secretary in the law firm representing Elvis Presley. The family later moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where her husband was employed with Fireman’s Fund insurance Company.
The family’s next move was back home to Jeffersontown where she was a teacher at St. Edward Elementary School. She then co-founded Drop A Tot Day Care center with her friend and neighbor, Diane Darst.
In 1969, the family relocated to Bardstown where her husband had been a partner in Eugene Wilson and Company Insurance, and Demaree and Hubbard Real Estate since 1962. She worked in the office for many years while she and her husband raised their children.
She loved to cook, travel, play bridge and fish. She was an avid reader and remained so her entire life. One family member was fond of saying she fed us, housed us, clothed us, taught us and loved all of us unconditionally. She led a life of meaning filled with kindness, love and understanding.
She was preceded in death by her parents William T. and Gladys Mason; one brother, William T. Mason Jr.; her husband of 66 years, Charles W. “Charlie” Parrish Jr. and one great-granddaughter, Ruthie Parrish.
She is survived by one daughter, Lynn Musselwhite of Louisville; two sons, Charles “Chuck” (Karen Newton) Parrish III of Bardstown and Steven (Nanci Clements), of Prospect; eight grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
A private celebration of life memorial will be held by the family
Expressions of sympathy made be made to the Nelson County Humane Society at 2391 New Haven Rd. Bardstown, Ky 40004
The Arch L. Heady & Son Funeral Home at Westport Village is in charge of arrangements.
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