Mrs. Katherine Blackburn Parries-Hatcher

Mrs. Katherine Blackburn Parries-Hatcher, 82 of Mt. Airy passed away at her home on Sunday, July 7, 2013. She was surrounded by her loving children, John Parries, Jr., Lisa Parries Shaw both Mt. Airy and Katherine Cornelia Parries of Greensboro. Katherine was born in Surry County on September 11, 1930 to the late Robert Ellis and Alice Cornelia Shelton Blackburn. She married the late John W. Parries, Sr. on June 11, 1951. He died 1995. Katherine graduated from Franklin High School in 1948 and Martin Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1951 with an R.N. degree. She served as a private duty nurse for 25 years. For the last nine years of her career she was employed by the Surry County Health Department as a Public Health Nurse. She was recognized as Outstanding Nurse in Surry County in 1995. Following her retirement, she volunteered as a Patient Advocate at local nursing homes. Katherine was a faithful member at First Baptist Church where she attended the Rebeka Sunday School Class. An avid flower arranger and gardner, Katherine was instrumental in organizing the Modern Gardners Garden Club in 1956, and was a charter life member for 57 years. She shared her knowledge of growing and arranging flowers with garden club members and was always willing to create lovely flower arrangements for weddings, receptions, and other social functions. Katherine served on the board of the Mt. Airy Appearance Commission for 12 years and was also appointed to serve on the Surry County Appearance Board. Her life focused on her family, caring for the sick, participating with the city's beautification projects and being one of God's Children. In 2003 she was honored with the Franklin Alumni Service Award. She married Norris Clark Hatcher, Jr. on Sept 10, 2011. He died in 2012. In addition to her children, Katherine is survived by a granddaughter, Sara Grace Parries of Charlotte; a sister, Margaret Blackburn Taylor of Mt. Airy; a brother and sister-in-law, Arnold and Jane Blackburn of Lewisville; a sister-in-law, Doris Blackburn of Greensboro; a niece and several nephews; four stepsons and their families Trey Hatcher of Morganton, David Hatcher of Winston Salem, Bruce Hatcher of Raleigh and Philip Hatcher of Wilmington. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Roger and Wilburn Blackburn and a sister-in-law, Peggy Blackburn and a brother-in-law, Paul Taylor; and a nephew, Paul Taylor, Jr. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, July 10, 2013 at First Baptist Church with Dr. Roger Gilbert officiating. The family will receive friends on Wednesday at the church in the Fireside Room from 12:30 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 714 N. Main St., Mt. Airy, NC 27030. Online condolences may be made to www.moodyfuneralservices.com