OCRACOKE–Leroy McDonald Parsons, 86, of Ocracoke, passed away Sept. 1, 2007, at home.
Heis survived by his wife, Elizabeth, daughter Edna Mae Edman andson-in-law Howard Edman of Columbia, S.C.; sons Roger Lee Parsons ofOcracoke and Leonard Steve Parsons of Franklinton, N.C.; fivegrandchildren, Beverly Kirkland, Matthew Parsons, Amanda Dizon,Christian Parsons, and Leslie Parsons, and one great-grandchild. He waspreceded in death by a son, James Leroy Parsons.
Roy was bornin Aug. 17, 1921, in Norfolk, Va., and was one of James and MaryElizabeth Jackson Parsons’ 12 children. He loved to tell stories ofgrowing up on Ocracoke. Like most Ocracoke men of his generation, Royleft home early to find work up north, heading to New York, where heworked on dredges and then began his career as a traveling musician. Heplayed guitar and sang on a country-and-western radio program, in abluegrass band, and with the Barnum and Bailey Circus, performing atMadison Square Garden.
Roy moved home and married ElizabethWilliams of Ocracoke in 1950 and built their house on Lighthouse Roadfrom lumber salvaged from the World War II Navy Base. On Ocracoke, Royworked for Sam Jones, helping to build Jones’s Castle and the BerkleyManor, and then cooking for Jones’s houseguests. In later years, heworked as a night watchman for the state ferry division and helpedElizabeth run her shop, Pamlico Gifts. Roy handcrafted model schoonersand trawlers for Elizabeth to sell, along with his CD, “Songs and Talesof Ocracoke Island.” He is best remembered for his love of music andlaughter. A natural showman and storyteller, Roy always had a song inhis heart and a twinkle in his eye. He played music often at theOcracoke Assembly of God Church and in Ocracoke School talent showsthrough the years, and was always happy to talk about music and the 925songs he could play. For the last 10 years of his life, he was the starperformer of the Ocrafolk Opry, a musical variety show of local talent.Every week he would share his love of music – singing, playing guitarand harmonica, telling jokes and stories and rhymes. Roy’s favoritepart of the Opry was making new friends because he never met astranger.
The family welcomes guests to the viewing onTuesday, Sept. 4, from 7 – 9 p.m,, and the Celebration service onWednesday, Sept. 5, at 2 p.m., both at the Ocracoke Assembly of GodChurch, 459 Lighthouse Road. Pastor Sam Garris will conduct theservice. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roy’s name to theOcracoke Assembly of God Church, PO Box 68, Ocracoke, NC 27960.
