Betsy Parsley M.D.

Betsy was born to Louis and Ella Allen in Mebane, NC. All of her siblings, Dorothy, Frances,  Aurelia, Mary, Elmer, Howard, Herbert and Thomas preceded her in death. She was married to Fred Parsley for 59 years. She is survived by her daughters Cynthia Karonis and husband Paul and Lynn Parsley and wife Kathy Ausen. Betsy dearly loved her grandsons Zack Parmer and husband Andy DeHart Parmer and Joseph Karonis. Betsy went to Elon College and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. She was one of three women in her medical school class. The other two women, Dr. Lynn Hale and Dr. Susan Blue have been her friends to this day. Betsy was a beloved pediatrician in practice with Dr. Charles Stamey serving at least two generations of children and their families. After retirement Betsy and Fred lived at Garden City Beach for many years. Betsy used to say, “I’d rather fish than eat”, and she could surf fish for hours on end. If she wasn’t fishing she was reading, often a book a day. Dr. Betsy Parsley will be remembered by all who knew her as being one of the kindest, gentlest people they’ve ever known. Her sweet spirit was what made her such a dear wife, mother, friend, and physician. Betsy is also survived by sisters-in-law Mary, Shirley, and Helen; and special friends Betty Jane, Susan, Mandy, Lynn, Elizabeth, Alice, Dawn, Judy, Steve, Alan, Tom and Wilson. Many nieces and nephews also cherish her memory. Our family offers our deepest gratitude to the staff at Trellis Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home and the ministers at Knollwood Baptist Church. Visitation will be at Hayworth Miller Silas Creek on Friday, April 5th from 5-7 PM. The Celebration of Dr. Parsley’s life will be 2:00pm Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Knollwood Baptist Church, with Dr. Bob Setzer Jr. officiating. A reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers charitable contributions may be given to Brenner’s Children Hospital, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157 or Trellis Supportive Care, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103.