Nan Parsons Presbyterian Church Fund


TYPE OF FUND: Designated               DATE ESTABLISHED: 1997

PURPOSE: Perpetual funding for Parsons Presbyterian Church.

DISTRIBUTION: Upon the recommendation of the Grants Committee of TCF and as requested
by the Clerk of the Session.

VARIANCE POWER: If, in the judgment of the TCF Board of Directors, the restrictions and
conditions of the fund become unnecessary, incapable of fulfillment or inconsistent with the
charitable needs of the community, the TCF Board of Directors maintains the right to modify the
terms of this fund.

FUNDING: A contribution of $1,000 from Harold Parsons, a lifelong member of Parsons
Presbyterian Church, in l992 following the death of his mother, Nan Lee Long Parsons and
future donations by members and friends of the church.*

*Note: This fund was brought to its required $5,000 when the estate of Eilene M. Hersman of
Kingwood provided money for the church late in 1997. The Session of the Church voted to
deposit $4,000 of that amount in this fund, the Parsons Presbyterian Church Fund.

BACKGROUND:

One of four children of Lacey and Anna May Wamsley Long, Nan Lee was born Aug. 11, 1895.
She had one sister, Christine Long, and two brothers, William and Hollis Long. She began her
education at “the little red school house” in Holly Meadows, transferring to Parsons where she
completed eighth grade. She then completed a two year normal teacher training course, but was
married before she was able to begin a career in teaching.

Nan married James William Parsons on July 3, 1912. They moved from Holly Meadows to the
home at 208 Second Street in Parsons where she and her son were living when she died.

Mrs. Parsons helped organize the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star in 1921-22; the first
4-H club in Tucker County; and also participated in the Women’s Club. Her hobbies included
sewing, crocheting, art and a fashionable hobby of that era – hand painting china dishes. Her
husband was supervisor of the County Poor Farm and several times was elected mayor Parsons.

Mr. and Mrs. Parsons were the parents of a son, Harold, who was born April 14, 1914. They had
two grandchildren, James Millard Parsons and Carolyn Jane who died as a small child.

Nan Lee Long Parsons died August 15, 1991 at the age of 96.