Carolyn Fuller Parish

Carolyn Fuller Parish passed away peacefully on May 24, 2025 at her home in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. She was born in Punta Gorda, Florida to John Henry and Bessie Fuller in 1934. At three months of age she moved to Vernon, Florida, where she grew up with and later married James Parish on September 2, 1956. She and James shared their life together for 68 years.

Carolyn excelled at Vernon High School, where she played girls basketball and volleyball, graduated as Salutatorian, and she and James were voted Best All Around Boy and Girl. She graduated from Florida State University in 1955 with a degree in education. She and James moved to Fort Walton Beach in 1960 where she began her teaching career at Choctawhatchee High School. She taught at Choctaw for 25 years, continuing to substitute teach for another ten years after retiring. At Choctaw, she was the Department Chair of the Business Education Department, sponsored wheelettes and Future Business Leaders of America and supported numerous other student activities. While teaching, she also supported James in several business activities, including rental properties, an ice business, clothing store, and gas station.

Carolyn was an active member and pillar of First United Methodist Church for over sixty years. In 2023, she helped to build Cornerstone Church and considered her friends there as family, hosting Bible studies and card games long into her illness and continuing to mentor and love on her friends. She was very happy to be a part of establishing this new church.

Carolyn is survived by her husband, James; son, Jim and wife, Teresa; son, Jerry and wife, Carla; grandchildren, Ian, Ezra, Israel, Zeke, and Zeb (Jim and Teresa) and Marshall and Grace (Jerry and Carla); and great granddaughter, Lydia (Zeb and Caley). She was preceded in death by her brother, John.

A Memorial Service for Carolyn will be held at Cornerstone Church, 118 Perry Boulevard Southeast, Fort Walton Beach, Florida on June 5, 2025 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a reception at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Cornerstone Church or your charity of choice.

Carolyn’s family would like to express their immense gratitude to members of Cornerstone Church and friends for your incredible support over the last year.

To share memories, express condolences, and sign the guestbook, please visit www.daviswatkins.com