Obituary of Lois Parrish

Lois was born on December 3, 1927 to Earnest and Lillian Christian in Fulton, Mississippi. She was raised on a farm and was very use to long hard days milking cows, feeding chickens, and taking care of the vegetable garden. She lost her mother at an early age which allowed other relatives to step in and care for her as a child. In her teens, she was on the girls’ basketball team which won the high school championship in 1942. She later moved to Waukegan, IL where she met her husband, Charles E. Parrish, who had also been raised in Mississippi. They were married on August 4, 1951 and lived all of their married life in Lake County, Illinois where they raised 3 children, Charles Daniel Parrish, Michael Dale Parrish and Melissa Renee Castiglia (Parrish) and built a successful construction company, Circle Concrete Construction. Lois was a homemaker at heart. She was well known for her southern hospitality and the delicious meals she made for family and friends. She could have a pitcher of sweet tea ready at a moment’s notice and baked wonderful cakes for birthdays and holidays. She had a keen eye for color and found joy in decorating her home and accessorizing beautiful outfits.

During her life-time, Lois always put the needs of others before herself. She met family hardships and needs with her quiet strength and determination. Over her 95 years, she always remembered family birthdays with a special card and gift. She had a generous heart and cheerfully shared her resources with various Christian organizations.

Lois had a strong faith in God and trusted Jesus as her Lord and Savior in her early adult life. She and her husband were long-time members of Immanuel Baptist Church in Gurnee, IL. After her husband’s death in 2016, Lois moved to Green Oaks Senior Living where she made wonderful new friends and enjoyed attending the women’s Bible study, watching basketball on tv and other activities. She loved to visit with friends and family and always had a fun way to tell a story. She charmed many with her kind southern ways and sweet smile. 

Lois passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 21, 2023 after a lengthy illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edward Parrish. She will be lovingly remembered by her sons, Chuck Parrish (Karen), Libertyville, IL, Mike Parrish (Sue), Beach Park, IL; daughter, Melissa Castiglia (Andy), Wheeling, IL; step-son Tommy Parish (Theresa), Amory, MS; grandchildren Amy Callinan (Kacey), Mill Valley, CA, Kevin Parrish, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Michael Parrish (Leslie), Wilmette, IL, David Parrish (Autumn), Libertyville, IL, Matthew Parrish, Beach Park, IL, Eric Castiglia (fiancé Claire Sims), Memphis, TN and Katelyn Chronis (Theo), Mishawaka, IN; and great-grandchildren Ollie Parrish, Fritz Parrish and James Parrish.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Wednesday July 26th at McMurrough Funeral Chapel, 101 Park Place (Rt 176, 1 Block East of Milwaukee Ave) Libertyville where there will be a visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service. Private interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, Libertyville. In lieu of flowers, memorials made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC28607 https://www.samaritanspurse.org would be greatly appreciated. Funeral information (847) 362-2626 please sign the guestbook at libertyvillefuneralhome.com