Sandra K. Parish
Sandra Kay Parish, age 67, an outspoken friend to many, passed away on April 9, 2020 at her residence in Charlotte. Born in Charlotte on September 10, 1952 to Glen and Bertie (Corbin) Burt, she remained in the area with her family and graduated from Charlotte in 1970. On March 27 of 1982 she married the love of her life, Dean Parish. Sandra worked at Hayes Green Beach Hospital and later for Spartan Motors in data entry until 1997. Sandra was a “caregiver,” willing to help everybody she could. She was never afraid to speak her mind or use her sense of humor to tease a smile from those around her.
Many may remember Sandra as the mom who helped develop and watch over Charlotte’s first skate park, built in the parking lot of one of the local churches. She would be there keeping track of the kids and selling snacks to help raise funds to maintain the park’s equipment. This later led to the development of the community skate park in Charlotte.
Sandra would want to be remembered as a huge supporter of her children and their friends — attending numerous games and concerts over the many years. You would see her in the stands or behind the counter of the athletic boosters selling popcorn and hotdogs to raise funds to support band or the sports teams. She was always one of the “not-so-quiet” workers there supporting “the kids.”
Her skill as a baker was celebrated all year long, as she would bake thousands of treats over the years. Her families’ favorites were her Holiday cookies. They were a special treat. One of her proudest moments was baking hundreds of cookies to sell to support RISE Recovery Community — a post treatment program to ensure the success of participants transitioning back into society after rehabilitation.
Above all else, family and friends will remember Sandy as a strong woman with a big heart.
She always opened her door to immediate family, distant family, “adopted family” and anyone who needed a safe place to go. She was truly “mom” to many.
Sandra is survived by her husband, Dean; three sons, Wesley (Karrie) Burt, Dean (Angela) Parish Jr, Nate Parish; daughter, Annie (Corey) Clarke; four brothers, Allen Burt, Jim Burt, Fred Burt, Doug Burt; three sisters, Judy (Don) Thornhill, Lois Kettner, Margaret (Ed) Johnson; grandkids, William Burt, Gavin Batey and Nate Batey. She was preceded in death by brothers, Larry Burt, Gary Burt, and Jerry Burt; sister, Marlene Davids; and her parents.
Due to current quarantine and sheltering guidelines, a celebration of life for Sandra will take place later. The family will send out information at a later time. In the meantime, go to prayfuneral.com and click on Sandra’s tribute page to share remembrances and condolences with the family. If desired, the family suggests memorial to RISE Recovery Community and Sparrow Hospice. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.