Malcolm Pettit "Mack" Parrish

Malcolm Pettit Parrish “Mack” - 95 years old - was finally reunited with the love of his life on January 11, 2026. Mack was born July 19, 1930, on Oak Ridge Plantation to Walter Pettit Parrish and Cora Belle Witt. He grew up tending the fields at Oak Ridge together with his siblings Junie, Sis, Bill, Anne, George, Mildred, & H.P., all of whom preceded him in death.

He graduated from Lovingston High School in 1947 and shortly thereafter was drafted to serve in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean conflict. Before leaving for boot camp at Paris Island, he married his high school sweetheart Betty Jeanne Purvis, whom he has missed every day since her passing in 2019.

Upon returning home to Nelson County from his military service, he went to work for Rural Electric Authority (now Central Virginia Electric Cooperative [CVEC]) as a lineman. He progressed through the ranks over the years until he was given a “desk job”. It’s said he lasted all of 3 days at that job until he told them to put him back on a crew as he needed to be outside – and they did. He retired from CVEC in 1992 but returned shortly thereafter to read meters for them for many years, for a total of over 52 years of service.

Mack and Betty Jeanne built their family home in Colleen. There they raised their children Billy, Cheryl (Frank), Steve, and Dwayne (Sharon). Their home was a place of unconditional and limitless love for grandchildren Jeanne (Matt), Craig (Amanda), Kasey (Scotty), Emily, and Samantha, as well as great grandchildren Kirsty (Quinton), Mackenzie, Kaylee, Owen, Ellie, Rylee, and Emma. Mack was a much-beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a quiet, steady force for the entire family – always in the background doing everything he could to meet the needs of them all.

Mack was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, as well as Fleetwood Harmony Masonic Lodge. He farmed all his life, raising chickens, pigs, ponies, and cows over the years but he was happiest in his garden where he spent countless hours growing a plethora of food for his family, friends, and neighbors.

In addition to his family listed above, he is survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors. Mack was a pillar in the Nelson County community and his loss is profound. If you have a story, photograph, or anecdote about Mack you would like to share – the family would love to see and hear them.

The family would like to express their immense gratitude to Susan Mays, who assisted Mack during the day for 3 years as well as Simply S&B for their exemplary 24/7 daily care of him over the last year. They are also grateful to Hospice of the Piedmont for helping make sure Mack could stay in his home and garden while receiving the highest quality medical care.

The family will receive visitors at Calvary Baptist Church on Thursday, January 15, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at Calvary Baptist on Friday, January 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Tyler Lucas and Pastor John Campbell officiating.

Interment will follow in the cemetery at Woodland Baptist Church.

Arrangements by Wells/Sheffield Funeral Chapel, Lovingston (434-263-4097).