Betty Sue Gibson Parris

Betty Sue Gibson Parris, age 83, of Glade Spring, Virginia, passed away in the presence of her daughter at 12:58 AM on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Betty was born on August 2, 1943 in Cyclone, West Virginia at her grandmother Alpha Mae’s home. Betty was proud to be the daughter of a coal miner, and many members of her family were miners. The oldest of six children, Betty graduated early from Oceana High School in 1960 and moved to Richmond to begin her secretarial career. While there, she met the love of her life “JD” Parris from Damascus, Virginia who was stationed at Fort Benning Army Base in Georgia. They married in January 1961, bought their first and only brand new home in March 1968, and became fixtures in the Crowville Subdivision in Glade Spring, Virginia, where they still reside.

Betty joined the Emory & Henry College staff first working in The Hut (snack bar) and later as the bookkeeper for E & H Book Service until she retired in 1996. She later joined the Washington County Public School System as a classroom aide particularly for students with special needs until 2018 when her husband required care at home after an injury. Betty and her husband attended Friendship Baptist Church for many years.

Betty was preceded in death by her father Clarence Lee “Buck” Gibson, her mother Erna Lucille Bishop Gibson, her brother Roger Dale Gibson, her sister Diana June Gibson Blankenship Donathan, her sister in law Carol Sue Blankenship Gibson, and sister in law Toni Lea Hatfield Gibson. 

Left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, James "JD" Parris; only daughter, Sonja Parris Seymore (Sam); her grandsons Clayton Douglas Seymore and grandson Zane Graham Seymore (Brianna); brother, Donald Lee “Goldwater” Gibson, sisters, Debbie Karen Gibson Toler (Thomas) and Madonna Lynn Gibson Burchett (Rod); along with many nieces, and nephews, and cousins.

There will be a graveside held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. 

The family of Betty Sue Gibson Parris is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.