Albert W. (Al) Parsons

Dr. Albert W. (Al) Parsons, 93, passed away at home in Cornelia Friday morning. He was born in McAdoo, Pennsylvania, in 1923 and retired to Habersham County in 1987 after a career in education.  He served in the Army in WWII and attended college on the GI Bill.  He had degrees from Ursinus College, the University of Delaware, Rutgers University, and a PhD from the University of Santa Barbara. His first teaching position was at the Presbyterian mission school, Wasatch Academy, in Mount Pleasant, Utah. He retired after 29 years as a professor of education at Centenary College in Hackettstown, New Jersey.  In retirement, he did adjunct teaching at Piedmont College and North Georgia College.  He ended his teaching career as a volunteer at Literacy.  During the summers of his working years, Al directed YMCA and Methodist Church camps in New York and New Jersey. 

After retiring, Al and Dotty, his wife of 67 years, were active in several local ministries, including Habitat for Humanity, Sharing and Caring, Literacy and the soup kitchens. Al and Dotty were instrumental in starting the local Arc group, organizing activities for persons with developmental disabilities.  Al enjoyed senior league baseball, teaching men's Bible Sunday school, Methodist mission team trips and local theater.  He was a long-time and active member of Clarkesville United Methodist Church and a current member at the Demorest Federated Church.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Fell Parsons; his parents Ella Wychek Parsons and William R. Parsons; and siblings Edward, Norman and Arleen Harris.

He is survived by brother Robert Parsons of Cocoa Beach, FL; daughters Rebecca Pierce of Demorest, GA, and Beth Rotella of Syracuse, NY; sons Timothy Parsons of Hackettstown, NJ and Terance (Teri) Parsons of Demorest.  He had 6 grand children and 4 great grand children.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heifer International.  Al was often known to wear a sweatshirt saying “Someone got my goat”!  www.heifer.org

Memorial services will be held at the Cornelia First Presbyterian Church, 469 North Main Street, Cornelia, at 11:00am on Friday, May 26, with visitation to follow in the fellowship hall from 12-2. The family requests those unable to attend the service to please stop by the visitation.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.