Lora Lee Parrott, 1923-2011

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Phoenix, Arizona

Lora Lee (Montgomery) Parrott, widow of Olivet Nazarene University President Emeritus A. Leslie Parrott, passed away peacefully at home in Phoenix, Arizona, on March 15.

She was born April 7, 1923, in Wilmore, Kentucky, to J.W. and Lora Montgomery. Her upbringing in a minister's home provided her with a life well-suited to her future role as spouse to a pastor and university president.

On July 7, 1944, Lora Lee married Leslie Parrott. Together, they had three sons, Richard (Shirley), Roger (MaryLou), and Les III (Leslie).

A graduate of Olivet Nazarene University, she earned a master of religion from Eastern Nazarene College.

As a young woman, she had an entrepreneurial spirit that brought about things like her candy counter, "Lora Lee's World Famous Candies," in a leading department store chain. Also, being the author of cookbooks led her to be a spokesperson for Lawry's Seasoned Salt, appearing in their magazine ads.

Lora Lee authored a number of books, including the popular The Original Sunday Dinner. Aspects of her life included entertaining, writing, speaking, and traveling, all of which she handled with her unique grace. She had the ability to make others feel included and valued.

The Parrotts pastored churches in Washington, Michigan, and Oregon, where Lora Lee reveled in her role as pastor's wife, pianist, and church hostess. Leslie Parrott was elected president of ENC in Quincy, Massachusetts, where they served from 1970 to 1975. This was followed by his election to the presidency of ONU, where they served from 1975 to 1991.

In an interview with the Kankakee Daily Journal about their time at ONU, she said, "The main thing is that you have an attitude of cooperation" and "you really have to like people." Her own words describe the lifelong drive to use her talents and abilities to benefit those within her sphere of influence.

"Lora Lee Parrott was a gracious woman known for her hospitality and refinement," said ONU President John Bowling. "Although she was the daughter of a minister and district superintendent, wife of a leading pastor and college president, and the mother to three outstanding sons, she, nonetheless, maintained an identity of her own. Her influence will live on through her writings, her family, and her many friends."

Preceding her in death were her husband, A. Leslie Parrott; parents, J.W. and Lora Montgomery; and sister, Irma Schmidt. Survivors include her three sons, six grandchildren, Andrew (Trina), Justin (Sagal), Grady, Madison, John, and Jackson, and one great-grandchild, Alec. She is also survived by her brother, James "Jim" Montgomery, and many nieces and nephews.

Her life and memory will be honored Wednesday, March 23, in a 3:00 P.M. service at College Church of the Nazarene in Bourbonnais, Illinois. Additionally, she will be remembered during the Sunday, March 20, 11:00 A.M. service at the Phoenix Biltmore Church of the Nazarene.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Leslie and Lora Lee Parrott Endowed Scholarship at ONU.
--NCN News Submissions

 

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