Dale Parris

Canton – Fred Dale Parris, 75, passed away on Friday, January 11, 2019 at his residence.

A native of Swain County, he was a son of the late Fred Willis and Wilma Jane Parker Parris.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister.  Dale was a member of Long Branch Baptist Church where he served as church deacon and Sunday School Teacher.  Dale served as principal at Morning Star Elementary, North Canton Elementary and in 1976, Dale was named the first principal of Junaluska Elementary School.  He remained there until his retirement in 1996 following 31 years of dedicated service to his community.

He is survived by the love of his life for 52 years, Linda Gunter Parris; two sons, Brad Parris of Whittier and Chad Parris and wife, Courtney, of Canton; two granddaughters, Caroline and Chloe Parris; four sisters, Markeeta Stephenson of Bryson City, Iris Fisher of Sylva, Darlene Gunter and husband, Ronnie, of Brevard, and Peggy Holcombe and husband, Larry, of Franklin; and one brother, Ivor Parris and wife, Linda, of Bryson City.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 17, 2019 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with the Reverend Steve Gunter and Reverend Shanne Baker officiating.  Burial will follow at Gunter Cemetery in Whittier.  The family will receive friends from 10:45 am until 12:45 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Long Branch Baptist Church, 1003 North Canton Road, Canton, NC  28716.

The care of Mr. Parris has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com