Obituary for Rita Andrea Parish

Rita Andrea Parish of Covington, passed away October 17, 2018, at the age of 77. Born in West Point, Georgia, she moved to Covington in February of 1956. Mrs. Parish graduated as valedictorian of her class in 1960 from Covington Junior High School. Employed in the secretarial field for 44 years, she spent 35 of those years as an administrative assistant to the vice president at Lithonia Lighting. She loved spending time with her family and friends and adored her church family. When she traveled, she enjoyed going to Cherokee, North Carolina, or Jekyll Island. Mrs. Parish was blessed with a wonderful daughter, Ragen, who filled her heart with pride and joy. Ragen and her son-in-law, Bob, blessed her with the two most perfect granddaughters, Tamara and Tori. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Thomas Leon Parish, Sr.; parents, Joe and Ruby Thompson; son-in-law, Bob Cantrell; step-son, Doug Parish.

Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Ragen Cantrell, Barbara and Herb Ruecksties, Belinda and Don Colborn; son, Thomas L. Parish, Jr.; grandchildren, Tamara and Dusty Utes-Fouser, Tori and Chad Andrews; great-grandchildren, Bryson Utes-Fouser, Aubrey Utes-Fouser, Graylyn Andrews; as well as several step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Service for Mrs. Parish will be held Sunday, October 21, 2018, 3:00 PM, at the Chapel of Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 1215 Access Road, Covington, with Pastor Mike Wadley officiating and interment following in Lawnwood Memorial Park. Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home, Saturday, October 20, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 105 Westpark Drive, Suite C, Athens, GA 30606.