Dr. Jacob Reid Parrott, Jr. ("Reid")

ROCKY MOUNT – Dr. Jacob Reid Parrott, Jr. (“Reid”), age 85, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, April 21, 2024. Born in Craven County, NC August 21, 1938, to his beloved parents, Jacob Reid Parrott, Sr. and Nola Benton Parrott, he was also preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Margaret Allen Parrott, and his beloved sister-in-law, Cotten Skinner Parrott. Reid is survived by his sons, Jacob Reid Parrott, III (husband Parker Davis) of Raleigh, NC and Benjamin Allen Parrott of Greenville, NC. He is also survived by his two cherished grandchildren, Benjamin Allen Parrott, Jr. and Dorsey Elizabeth Parrott of Greenville, NC; his brothers, Donald Benton Parrott (wife Cathy) of Gastonia, NC, and James Hubert Parrott (wife Susan) of Morehead City, NC; and several beloved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by numerous cousins and lifelong friends, especially Coach George Whitfield. Reid loved being a father to his sons, of whom he was especially proud, and loved being “Pepa” to his grandchildren. He loved them all tremendously and knew Ben and Dorsey were destined for great things. Reid lived a joyfully full life, touching people’s lives wherever he went. So much of his life focused on education. After graduating from Grainger High School in Kinston, NC, Reid earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Studies in 1960 from East Carolina University and then began his educational career as a teacher in the Wayne County, Lenoir County and Kinston City School Systems. In 1962, he graduated again from East Carolina University with a Master of Arts in Education and a minor in History. His blood ran Pirate purple, and he was a lifelong friend of East Carolina University. Reid quickly moved up from a social studies teacher to an assistant principal and served in that capacity until 1966 when he joined the North Carolina Community College System at Lenoir Community College where he served as Director of Adult Basic Education for a three-county area. He was later promoted to Director of Evening Programs and then to Dean of Continuing Education, a position he held until 1969. In 1971, he earned his Doctorate in Adult and Community College Education from North Carolina State University. Reid joined the NC Department of Community Colleges as a State-Federal Relations Coordinator where he identified state, federal and private funds for expansion initiatives. He was appointed Vice President for Institutional Services in 1972. In addition to his institutional responsibilities, he was assigned to work with the legislature on community college budget requests. In 1975, he was named Senior Vice President for Educational Programs with additional responsibilities of serving as departmental liaison between the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors of the University of North Carolina System. At the NC Department of Community College, Reid helped develop and implement curriculum standards that provided quality control throughout the system’s 58 colleges. This effort was aimed at ensuring the transfer of credits to other community colleges as well as senior colleges and universities. Also, among his many accomplishments at the state level was his role in the attainment of state and regional accreditation by all of the institutions. Advancements were made in achieving the goal of excellence in educational programs and comprehensive learning opportunities for all citizens served by the system’s 58 schools. During this period of growth, Reid also saw services to new and expanding industries flourish. Efforts to eliminate illiteracy among the adult population were expanded, enrollment growth in the system grew from some 300,000 to one-half million students, state appropriations more than doubled for current operations, and five technical institutes were converted to community colleges with an addition of four institutions to the existing fifty-four. The realization of permanent campuses for the remaining one-third of the colleges in the system was achieved with his lobbying efforts during 1971 to 1977. After nine years at the state level, Reid served as a special consultant to the president of Halifax Community College as a representative of the NC Department of Community Colleges. During this time, Nash Community College was conducting a presidential search. Reid was selected as the second president of Nash Technical Institute in Rocky Mount. Upon joining the college in 1980, he brought a strong background and wealth of experience in public and collegiate education to his presidency. Reid’s tenure of twenty years with the college ushered in a period of growth in number of students served, program offerings, and physical facilities. His vision and leadership enabled the college to assume a prominent educational position in the Nash/Rocky Mount areas and in the North Carolina community College System transitioning from a technical institute to a comprehensive community college. Reid loved Nash Community College and constantly recruited new students to the College up until his death. While President, Reid served as a member of a development team which landed Consolidated Diesel Company, the largest new industry at that time to locate in eastern North Carolina and largest to locate in North Carolina. Nash Community College’s new industry training program was one of the primary reasons the company chose Nash County over 140 other communities nationwide. During his tenure, he secured the construction of the Betsy B. Currin Child Development Center and the significant Allen H. and Winnie E. Brown Auditorium. Reid was awarded the 2008 Nash Community College President’s Cup, the highest and most prestigious award given each year to someone affiliated with Nash Community College who has truly made an indelible mark on the institution. Upon Reid’s retirement in 1999 to recognize his distinguished educational career and service, the NCC Board of Trustees bestowed the title of President Emeritus to him to honor his outstanding contributions to the college. Known for his ease at the podium, Reid shared his wit and wisdom as the commencement speaker with numerous North Carolina Community Colleges. Reid was also honored in 1990 as the recipient of the North Carolina State University Department of Adult and Community College Education I. E. Ready Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of his exemplary leadership and excellence in community college education. In 1989, the Leadership 2000 Institute named him as one of 12 outstanding community college presidents in North Carolina. He was past president of the North Carolina Association of Colleges and Universities. In 2015, Reid received North Carolina’s most prestigious award, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. The following year, he was inducted into the Twin County Hall of Fame (Nash and Edgecombe counties), which honors living and since deceased people who have had a large, positive impact on the region. Among the many civic organizations he was involved, Reid served as 2007-2008 President of the Nash Community College Foundation Board of Directors. He was an active member of the Rocky Mount Kiwanis Club and the First United Methodist Church in Rocky Mount. Reid served since 1988 on the Boy Scouts of America Executive Committee – East Carolina Council. In 2004, he received the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award for the Tar River Council. In 2010, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the East Carolina University Alumni Association. Reid loved all things related to nature and the outdoors. He loved feeding the birds, planting tomatoes and peppers, and simply piddling in the yard while chewing his favorite cigar. Reid and Margaret had wonderful memories of their times at their cottage on Live Oak Cove on the Bogue Sound. They enjoyed boat rides at sunset, as well as special times around the dinner table with family and friends. They also enjoyed the holiday reunion at the Parrott Farm in Dover, NC, as traditions begun by Reid’s father were continued by Reid and his brothers, Donald and Hubert. Reid loved history, old cowboy movies, crossword puzzles and the Jumble, and books. He was a voracious reader of all genres. Reid had a zest for life and laughter, and was always ready with a funny story, a sarcastic comment or a sweet compliment. He loved his time growing up in Kinston, where his high school buddies called him “Silas”, his time in Raleigh, professionally and personally, but his true passion was Rocky Mount, Nash County and Nash Community College. He loved his outings to the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays, Wednesday nights with the boys at Bernie’s, baseball trips with friends and varied musical events with his pals. An active member and former trustee of First United Methodist Church, he greatly enjoyed Sunday worship services. After Margaret’s death in 2017, Reid stayed in Rocky Mount for a few years, but decided to move to the Cypress Glen Retirement Community in Greenville, NC in 2021 where he flourished. Reid had numerous friends at Cypress Glen and soon made many more. He was fondly known as the “Mayor of the Glen” or the “Song of the Glen” as he brought musical acts to Cypress Glenn and was often found walking the halls singing to himself or with other residents and staff. Reid’s family would like to express special thanks to Stacy Johnson, owner of Stacy’s @ Home Healthcare, LLC, who cared for Margaret prior to her death, and who remained dedicated to Reid until his death. Also, the family is deeply thankful for the loving care Reid received from the staff at Cypress Glen, especially during the last days of his life. That love and tenderness towards him and his family in his last days certainly allowed him to depart this world in a beautiful and dignified manner as the true southern gentleman he was. He left a legacy of joy that will fill the hearts of family and friends for years to come. A Celebration of Reid’s life will be held on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at 12:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, 100 South Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Rev. Dr. David Joyner, Senior Pastor, officiating. A private burial at Westview Cemetery in Kinston will follow at a later date. The family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, April 26, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to the Reid Parrott Scholarship in care of Nash Community College Foundation, 522 N. Old Carriage Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. 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.