Joan Taylor Parrish

Joan Taylor Parrish passed away on March 16, 2025, during an early spring, Sunday morning rainstorm. She waited until the love of her life and husband of 65 years, Wayne Jeffrey Parrish, got home from church.

Kind-hearted, faithful, and selfless, Joan was a loving inspiration to all—a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, church and community member, and mother figure to many, whose passion for music touched all parts of her life.

Born on November 11, 1939, to Jessie Merit Taylor and Helen Woodfin Taylor, Joan is preceded in death by her parents and sister, Beth Taylor Wilkerson—the family moved to Dundas from Richmond when Joan was a toddler. She and Wayne met in the third grade and the rest is history—they married on June 20, 1959, and raised three children together, Debbie Smithson (Doc), Sherry Smith (Phil), and Jeff Parrish (Liz). Their fledgling marriage began with the endeavor to own and operate a dairy business that endured 18 years of labor and love. And then in 1972, they opened Parrish Trucking Company, which their family ran for 51 years.

Joan was a devoted, lifelong member of Perseverance Christian Church in Dundas, Virginia. She played organ and piano for 73 years, directed choir, was a member of the Friendship Circle, and founded the Praise Group in September 2002; Joan inspired and loved spending time with every single member.

One of Joan’s favorite movies was The Sound of Music. These are a few of her favorite things…fun and fellowship with her “Anniversary Group,” an elite crew of couples who, like she and Wayne, had all surpassed 50 years of marriage; 27 winters’ worth of annual trips with Wayne to Clearwater Beach, Florida, where they enjoyed hundreds of Gulf sunsets and made dear friends from across the U.S. and Canada; water aerobics and lots of laughs with ladies at the pool; watching the birds and dragonflies in her backyard; and making everyday moments beautiful with her green thumb, always tending to plants and flowers at her home, church, and in the community.

Joan’s sweet spirit lives on in her seven beloved grandchildren—Lauren Castillo (Jeff), Sam Smithson (Paige), Luke Smithson (Stacy), Callie Smith, Vayda Tarleton (Jonmichael), Eli Parrish (Hannah), Cary Parrish (Carson)—five great-grandchildren—Vivi Castillo, Brooks Smithson, Samuel Smithson, Hayes Smithson, and Jameson Smithson—and six nieces and nephew: Marsha Pollworth, Joni Bond Smith, Sandra Parrish, Angie Ardolino, Christie Kirchoff, and Billy Sidler.

Visitation with the family will be held at Perseverance Christian Church on Saturday, March 22 at 11:00 a.m—the funeral service will follow at noon in the sanctuary and lunch thereafter in the church fellowship hall .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Perseverance’s Music Ministry  (online - perseverancecc.org/give; by mail - P.O. Box 157, Dundas, VA 23938) or to the Amedisys Foundation, 3854 American Way, Suite A, Baton Rouge, LA 70816.