Barbara Ann Parrish Hyde

“I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.

Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.”

Psalm 122:1-2

NASHVILLE – On Monday morning September 22, 2025, at 2:30 AM, Barbara Ann Parrish Hyde felt the breath of God against her face while holding her husband’s hand.  God granted her peace in her slumber as she and her husband fell asleep in their bed.  She awakened to being within the presence of Almighty God.

The daughter of the late Charles Lewis Parrish and Kate Will Parrish (nee) Strum, Barbara was born on the Parrish farm on Taylors Store Road outside the town of Nashville.  She spent most of her formative years in the Philadelphia Community and graduated from Nashville High School in 1951.  She was accepted into the nursing program at Bowman Gray School of Nursing in Winston Salem NC where she studied for one year.  Her father suffered from ill health, so she transferred to Rex School of Nursing.  However, she moved back home to help her mother.

Barbara will always be remembered for her unusual natural beauty.  Those who know her well will not only remember her for her natural beauty, but also her inner beauty.  She was Miss Nashville, Miss Nash County, and Mrs. Nash County. People stopped on the streets of New York and asked for her autograph. She was stopped everywhere she went even after reaching the age of 90 and praised for her beauty, grace, and elegance.  Barbara played it off so well.  She would scribble something illegible on a napkin or piece of paper.  She told her husband, Al, numerous times that she never saw herself as beautiful and if she was complimented in the presence of a female friend, it was a bit embarrassing.  She told him she downplayed her looks. Barbara truly did not see herself as beautiful.  She loved beautiful clothes, and her favorite couture designer was St. John.  She was well known for wearing beautiful hats and her favorite was milliner Nigel Rayment from London, England. She wore hats that coordinated with her outfit every Sunday.  The last time she attended church was on her 92^nd birthday after which she attended the annual Parrish reunion on the farm where she was reared.

Barbara loved music as she sang for 44 years in the chancel choir of the Nashville Baptist Church.  She also taught vacation bible school, served on the building and grounds committee, served on the building committee of the new Nashville Baptist Church in 1986. She loved working in the garden and always kept a beautifully manicured lawn with abundant flora and canopies of trees.

Barbara studied in Alexandria Virginia as well as the Babor Institute in Ahen, Germany.  She created a new career path and opened the legendary European Skin Care in Rocky Mount.  She did not retire until the age of 80.  She stood on her feet all day giving facials and she made certain all of her employees had what they needed to provide the best experience for their clientele.

In 1997 she met the love of her life, Al Hyde, who also grew up in the Philadelphia Community in rural Nash County.  Her sister-in-law ( Mary B. Parrish) told Al Barbara’s happiest years of her life occurred during her marriage.  Nothing can compare to the love the two of them shared.  She loved him deeply and he loved her with all of his heart.  The two of them, while being two individuals, were together one unit.  They enjoyed restoring their home , working in their yard, attending many different churches where (he served as organist/choir director), and she worked in his family business on Saturday’s.  In other words, she worked seven days a week.  She never stopped working until she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013.

Barbara fought valiantly against this debilitating disease.  She always maintained her dignity.  She was dressed every day of her life until these last few weeks.  She remained ambulatory.  She walked with her walker and Al walked with her every step while holding onto her waist.  The two of them worked tirelessly with physical therapy every morning and walked through the house throughout the course of the day.  She faced her neurological disease with great stoicism.  Al never heard her complain once about her disease.

Barbara will long be remembered for the many ways in which she lifted people up.  She always wanted to hold a baby or plant a tree or something to bloom.  She took great delight in both.

Barbara leaves four children from her first marriage to cherish her memory.  They could do no wrong in her eyes and she loved them so much.  Her husband gave her this assurance repeatedly during her final days upon this earth.  She loved Tris, Daune, Laura and Alan more than they could ever have known.  She also loved her 8 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

Al would like to thank those who assisted him in caring for her.  She was well cared for by Lene Davis and Karen Williams.  Al worked from home and cared for her for twelve years, but these two ladies added so much joy to her life, and they helped Al make sure she was taken care of when he was working with clients. Carol Cooper Pelt (Al’s mother) treated her as if she were her mother or sister.  She adored Barbara and saw her often.  She sat with her and enjoyed many good laughs together.  They loved to order pizza and watch Barbara’s favorite channel on television.  Brenda Jones, a lifelong family friend, also provided Barbara with many laughs and took her to see various plants at nurseries all over the state.  Larry Hyde (Al’s father) who brought her meals every day at lunchtime.  Mary Helen Pelt-Warren (Al’s sister), who sat with Barbara on Sunday’s & stood by Al when Barbara needed additional assistance in her final days.  Mary Helen also supported Al when he made Barbara’s final arrangements.  All of this shall never be forgotten. There are many others as well.

Barbara will lie in repose in the front drawing room of her home.  Visitation for family and friends will be on Friday, September 26, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.  The funeral will be held at Nashville Baptist Church on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM.  Following her burial at Forest Hills Cemetery in Nashville, NC; Al will host a reception at their home for family and friends.

Mr. Hyde requests the omission of flowers.  If desired, contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310 Miami, Florida 33126 or utilize their website at Parkinson.org.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.