The last several times I saw him he reminded me that his illness was terminal, but it still comes as a shock. I was one of the many babies he delivered. -jsq

Picture from the VDT; obituary via McLane Funeral Services, Jesse Lyle Parrott

the VDT; Born in Salley, SC on Dec. 23, 1918
Departed on Jun. 21, 2013 and resided in Hahira, GA.
Visitation: No Visitation
Service: Private
Cemetery: Private
Jesse Lyle Parrott, M. D.

Dr. Jesse Lyle Parrott, 94, husband of Nancy Wainer Parrott for 58 years, died peacefully at home in Hahira on Friday, June 21, 2013. He was born in Salley, SC on December 23, 1918 to the late Lily Price and Glen Peake Parrott during the historic influenza epidemic. At the age of 12 he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, was baptized and joined the Methodist Church. He attended high school in Collins, Ga during the Great Depression. He worked as a gas station attendant, a “drugstore cowboy” and in the CCC until he entered South Georgia College in Douglas, GA. Eventually he received his Bachelor of Science pre-med degree from the University of Georgia where he was also proctor of the football dormitory. Entering Medical School at the Medical College of Georgia under the Navy program he was commissioned as an intern at the naval Hospital at New Orleans and Pearl Harbor. Following completion of training, Dr. Parrott was assigned to a flotilla of landing craft as the singular medical officer. Duty was principally in the Marshall-Gilbert Islands. In 1945, Dr. Parrott moved to Hahira, GA to join the practice of his brother in law, Dr. Raymond Smith at Smith Hospital. He worked 16-18 hour days in General Practice for 40 years during which he delivered over 5,000 babies, performed thousands of surgical procedures and treated many thousands of patients. The exception to his devotion to patients was his afternoon off every Thursday during which he fished with his father in law, the late David Samuel Wainer or his best friend, H. M. Barfield and then took his bride and family out to dinner. Dr. Parrott abruptly retired from private practice due to macular degeneration. He served another 15 years as the Chief Medical Director of the South District Detoxification Facility at Smith Hospital. Dr. Parrott was President of the South Georgia Medical Society, served as mayor of Hahira from 1957-1958 and again from 1987-1993. He was a long term member of Hahira United Methodist Church serving in many roles as well as Sunday School teacher for the Adult Class. He was also a member of the Valdosta Rotary Club.

Picture by Church Street Coffee

Along with his beloved wife, Dr. Parrott is survived by his two sons whom he adored, Dr. Jonathon Parrott and his wife, Katie of Valdosta and their three children, Rutledge, Emma and Sarah Gray and Mr. Stephen Price Parrott and his wife, Karen of Spartanburg, SC and their three children, Jessica, Sam and Bonnie. Numerous nieces and nephews. Dr. Parrott is predeceased by his five siblings, Glen Peake Parrott, Dorothy P. Starling, Val Alan Parrott, June P. Smith and Patricia P. Williams.

Following a private family graveside committal service the family will receive friends at 701 South Church Street, Hahira, GA on Sunday, June 23rd between 4 and 5:30 p. m. in the glorious yard that Jesse gardened, planted, tended and loved for over 50 years. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Georgia Sheriff’s Boys Ranch, 5671 Highway 122 East, Hahira, GA or to the Hahira United Methodist Church, 100 East Stanfill Street, Hahira, GA. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.mclanecares.com.

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