REV. DR. ALONZO ANDREW PARSONS SR.

Passed 04/15/2021

Obituary For REV. DR. ALONZO ANDREW PARSONS SR.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.~2 Timothy 4:7-8 KJV

Rev. Dr. Alonzo Andrew Parsons, Sr., known by his family & friends as AA, was born on May 18, 1953. He transitioned from time to eternity on April 14, 2021 at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center. Dr. Parsons was the eldest son of the late Lonzo and Mary Henrietta Parsons, with 4 brothers, all who are preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and 4 sisters, one a minister, and the eldest, Lou Etta Parsons McCray, preceded him in death.

He grew up with a solid foundation. He had a praying mother who loved God and taught her children the ways of God. She kept them in church and Sunday School at the Parsons’ Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Lilesville, NC; one of the churches his great, great-grandfather founded. As a child, his mother taught him his first poem: I am my Father’s highest man, And don’t you look so hard. When I grow older, I’m gon’ work for God. As a teenager, during the 60’s, he remembered a Caucasian missionary, Ms. V.C. Ratliff, who would come into the black neighborhood to teach the Bible. This gave him a hunger and thirst for the word of God.

Dr. Parsons accepted Christ at a very early age, and was called by God into ministry at the age of 15. He pastored his first church, Mt. Level Baptist Church, in Chesterfield, S.C. at the age of 19. Even though Dr. Parsons came from a lineage of Baptist ministers, one being his great, great-grandfather, who founded Parsons’ Grove Missionary Baptist Church, in Lilesville, N.C. and several other Baptist churches in North Carolina, Dr. Parsons was led by God to continue his ministry in the A.M.E. Zion Church. It is here, he was ordained a Deacon in 1978 and ordained an Elder in 1979.

He labored in ministry for more than 40 years within the AME Zion Church. He pastored churches in the Pee Dee Conference, Palmetto Conference, West Central North Carolina Conference, Western North Carolina Conference and the Virginia Conference. In 2002, Dr. Parsons was appointed Presiding Elder of the Petersburg District and from 2004-2012 he was appointed Presiding Elder of the Newport News District, of the Virginia Conference.

He served on many connectional, conference, & district boards until his health began to decline. His ministry not only included the A.M.E. Zion Church, but extended across denominational lines, preaching and teaching the word of God. Out of all the churches Dr. Parsons’ pastored, whether large or small, his primary focus was like that of the Apostle Paul; his heart’s desire and prayers to God, was that people be saved and that they grow in the knowledge and understanding of God’s word.

Early in life, Dr. Parsons realized he had to study to show himself approved unto God, a workman not being ashamed, but rightly dividing the word of truth. Therefore, after graduating from the Anson County Public School System, he furthered his education by attending Hood Theological Seminary, Salisbury, N.C. and East Coast Bible College, Charlotte, N.C. receiving a Master of Divinity degree (MDiv). He earned a Doctor of Ministry Degree (DMin.) from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. Dr. Parsons was a biblical scholar, gifted and anointed preacher, and teacher of the word of God. He had a love for souls; bringing men out of the kingdom of darkness, into the kingdom of light, making sure of their spiritual growth and development. He began his journey as a mentor/father for his brothers and sisters, as well as other young men in his community. After his conversion, he made sure that everyone he knew was saved and baptized.

He composed songs and formed a group known as the Pilgrim Stars, which included his four brothers and other young men in the community. They produced several 45’s and an album entitled A.A. Parsons & the Pilgrim Stars. Under his leadership, they traveled singing at many churches and events about the God they loved.

Dr. Parsons worked as a United Steel Worker for Alcoa Aluminum Company for 14 years. He coached the girls’ basketball team at Albemarle Road Middle School, Charlotte, NC. He taught 7th and 8th grade math in the Petersburg School System for 9 years, served as assistant coach for Petersburg High School and was an Adjunct Professor for Bryant & Stratton College, teaching Philosophy and Religion in Richmond, Virginia.

He received numerous honors and awards: to name a few, Outstanding American High School Student, Who’s Who among Students in American Universities and Colleges (East Coast Bible College & Hood Theological Seminary). He received the Biblical Studies Department Class Award at East Coast Bible College, Asbury Missionary Award and The American Bible Society Award, both from Hood Theological Seminary, and he graduated from Hood Theological Seminary, Magna Cum Laude. Of the many honors and awards Dr. Parsons received, he deemed his greatest accomplishment to the many souls he led to Christ. Winning souls for the Kingdom of God was his ultimate goal. He often recalls his first experience in leading someone to Christ. It was his childhood best friend, David McLendon, now, the Rev. David McLendon, a preacher in the A.M.E. Zion Church. Dr. Parsons not only led souls to Christ, but he was instrumental to numerous preachers in answering their call to ministry. He was known as the little Sunday School boy. They would come to him whenever they didn’t understand the call of God on their lives. He would instruct them to fast and pray and he fasted and prayed along with them. Dr. Parsons has provided spiritual guidance and empowerment to the body of Christ throughout his ministry.

Out of all his secular jobs, which provided for his family, his most rewarding job was his call to ministry, quoting the first poem his mother taught him, “I am my Father’s highest man”. To this call, he dedicated his life; whether at home, work, on the basketball court, or ministering to those incarcerated, it didn’t matter. Wherever there was an opportunity to tell of the Love and saving grace of God, he did.

In 2010, Dr. Parsons received a heart transplant at VCU Medical Center, Richmond, VA. He was hospitalized there for 4 months prior to receiving his transplant. During that time he witnessed to doctors, nurses, surgeons, patients, care partners, custodial staff, and visitors, of the love of God. It was there, VCU Medical Center, where he ministered the word of God and witnessed of God’s redeeming love and grace. Dr. Parsons understood he had to work while it is day because when night comes, no man can work. Therefore, even after his health began to decline, and he could no longer serve in the capacity as Pastor or Presiding Elder, he joined the New Covenant A.M.E. Zion Church under the leadership of Rev. Cheryl James, where he continued to give leadership, by feeding the flock of God through preaching and teaching the whole council of God.

During his illness and his stays at the VCU hospital, he continued ministering, and impacted the lives of many. Dr. Parsons taught weekly Bible Study and occasionally preached at the Chester Village Apartments for Seniors, Chester, VA. As his health challenges continued, he became a resident of the Wonder City Rehabilitation & Nursing Center, Petersburg, VA. There he preached every first and third Sundays and gave spiritual council to staff and residents until the pandemic occurred. Despite all his challenges, he continued to run the race, so that he might obtain the rewards, and secure crowns to lay at the feet of Jesus: The Crown of Life, The Crown of Glory, The Incorruptible Crown, the Crown of Righteousness, and the soul winners crown- the Crown of Rejoicing. His greatest desire is to hear the Lord say, “WELL DONE thy good and faithful servant”.

Dr. Parsons was a loving son, brother, husband, father, mentor, theologian, historian, and much more.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Elaine Parsons, five children, Bridgett Dawes, (Russell) of Smithfield, NC; Zakiya Gaddy of Charlotte, NC; Rev. Alonzo A. Parsons, Jr., (Yolanda) of Charlotte, NC; William Gaddy, (Najmah) of Wake Forest, NC; and Aundrea Parsons, Smithfield, NC. Four brothers, Pastor Lennon Parson (Shirley), Indian Trail NC; Pastor Eddie Parsons (Wanda), Monroe, NC; Apostle Dr. Ronnie Parson(Rubina), Charlotte, NC; and Minister Paul Parsons (Adrianne), Rolesville, N.C. Three sisters, Carrie Coletrane (Dr. Gregory Coletrane) and Patricia Cole, both of Wadesboro, N. C. and Alice Gatewood, (Daniel), Albemarle, N.C.; 16 grandchildren and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dr. Parsons understood that a legacy is not just what you have earned but more about what you have learned. Therefore, the legacy he leaves for his children, family and friends is to win souls for Christ, love unconditionally, and let your light shine before men, that God will be glorified.

A Memorial Service to Honor the Life and Legacy of Rev. Dr. Parsons was held on Thursday, April 22, 2021, 1:00pm, Smith's Memorial Chapel, 604 Salisbury Street, Wadesboro, North Carolina.