Margaret Jean (Howard) Parson

Margaret Jean Howard Parson, 91 of Sanford, NC went to be with her heavenly father on June 7th, 2025 after a long illness.

Jean, as she was called by family and friends, was married to the late George Wesley Parson in 1950, and they enjoyed 63 years of marriage until George’s death in 2013. Jean was predeceased by her parents, Aaron and Nora Howard, husband George Parson, brother James Howard, sister Martha Rives, and grandson Adam Scott.

She is survived by: her sister Emily Sawyer; sister in-law Rebecca Howard, her daughters Annette Scott (Scottie) and Faye Halvorsen; grandchildren Ian Scott (Pate), Allison Kretlow (Phillip), Ruth Tidmore (William) and Mary Halvorsen; great grandchildren Nate Scott, Mason Scott, Cameron Nash (Paxton), Lucian Scott, Walker Kretlow, James Kretlow, and Aarlynn Tidmore; and great-great grandchildren Patrick Nash and Delilah Nash.

Jean devoted her life to her family, friends and her church. She was an exceptional seamstress; throughout her life she made professional quality clothing and home furnishings for her family. Jean touched many people with her gift of creating beautiful things. She was also passionately involved in her church. She and George faithfully attended three services a week, as well as Bible studies and Sunday School. Jean’s true spiritual gift to the church was music. Jean learned to play the piano by ear, and had a beautiful voice. Over the course of her life, she was a faithful choir member and soloist. Her favorite piece to sing as a soloist was “His Eye is on the Sparrow”. Her musical gifts were a blessing to her family as well. Most holiday celebrations ended with her playing the piano and singing hymns with her children and grandchildren.

Jean took great pride in hosting holidays with her entire family at her home for many decades. Her cornbread dressing and biscuits were equally incredible and nearly impossible to replicate. Jean also enthusiastically documented family occasions– big and small–with photographs. She filled her living room bookcases with 50 photo albums, and family members always looked through them at special occasions. After Jean and George’s retirement, they purchased an RV, which they used as a memory-making vehicle for family and friends. They especially loved to visit the North Carolina mountains every fall, but the RV truly went wherever family was going–Ridgecrest Christian Conference Center for annual music conventions, the beach, Disney World, and even the zoo for a grandchild’s birthday party.

Jean and George were very present grandparents, attending baseball and football games, wrestling matches, ballet and piano recitals, school programs, graduations, weddings and many, many more events. In her later years, Jean was lovingly cared for by St. Joseph of the Pines Health Center. The family would like to thank the many St. Joseph staff who graciously served Jean. The family would also like to thank Emily Jordan, who was like a daughter to Jean, for all the visits and songs, as well as Rev. Tim Burris and the members of Cool Springs Baptist Church for the visits, cards, and prayers.

A celebration of life service will be held at Cool Springs Baptist Church in Sanford, North Carolina on Friday, June 20th at 2:00 PM.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery. There will be no visitation.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Cool Springs Baptist Church, 1313 Cool Springs Road, Sanford, NC 27330.

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