Curtis "Ray" Parson

Mr. Curtis Ray Parson, 89, of Tifton, passed away on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at home with his loving family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, November 12, 2022 in the chapel of Albritton Funeral Directors with Rev. Trevor Ward officiating. Interment will follow at Tift Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 2:45 P.M. at the funeral home before the service.

Mike Delk, Brandon Ellis, Trent Ellis, Patrick Malcom, Reggie Lott and Charlie Lott will serve as pallbearers. Honorary Pallbearers will be Judge John Crosby, Wayne Richards, Solomon Hill, Mike Bland, Josh Reynolds, Jake Bentley, Mark White, Bobby Owens, Harold Ogletree, John Brooks, Terry Krohn and Steve Brownlee.

Mr. Parson was born on July 11, 1933 in Douglasville, GA, to the late Marvin Bealer Parson and Flora Mae Parson. He was preceded in death by one brother, Fred Parson of Birmingham, Alabama, and three sisters: Reba Parson and Grace Camp of Douglasville, GA, and Marvene Williams of Temple, GA.  He attended Douglas County schools and worked at the Atlanta Casket Company in Atlanta. He traveled the world while serving his country aboard the USS Capricornus AKA-57. He loved to tell his family stories of his travels and experiences while serving in the U.S. Navy.

Mr. Ray, as many of his friends and colleagues called him, moved to Tifton, and began his career in Law Enforcement. Initially, he was employed with the Georgia State Patrol as a license examiner. Later, he earned his associate’s degree in criminal justice and became Chief Probation Officer with the Department of Corrections, Tift Judicial Circuit from 1965-1990.

Mr. Parson was a member of Northside Baptist Church, and previously served as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, and Department Leader.

After retirement, Mr. Parson enjoyed golfing, fishing, and just riding around with anyone who would go. He was a devoted family man, and loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He never met a stranger, and welcomed any of his family’s friends into his home and always wanted them to come back and visit anytime. He really treated them as a member of the family. He loved to tell stories and jokes, and always had a smile on his face for everyone. He will be truly missed.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 68 years, Annette Carroll Parson of Tifton. He is also survived by his children and their spouses- Kay Parson Ellis (Mike); Jeff Parson (Lyn), and Chris Parson, all of Tifton.  Mr. Parson is also survived by four grandchildren: Trent Ellis, Brandon Ellis (LeahAnn), Sydney AnnaBelle Parson and Lola Li’i Parson. He was blessed with two great- grandsons, Levon Samuel Ellis and Jude Michael Ellis.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Tiftarea (Jennifer, Veronica, Trina) for their dedication and always answering our many questions. We would also like to acknowledge Linda Gray and staff for their dedication and love shown to our loved one (Faye Davis, Alfredia Sawyer, Mae Barnes, Veronica Brown, Teresa Anderson, Dorothy Lively, Cynthia Eason.

Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Hospice of Tiftarea, 618 North Central Avenue, Tifton, Georgia 31794.

Albritton Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.