Mr. C.N. "Pap" Parrish, 77, of Charlotte, NC, departed this life on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at Pruitt Health.

C.N. "Pap" Parrish was born November 5, 1947, in Durham, North Carolina, to Thelma Faye Johnson Parrish and Rev. Ernest "Pap" Edward Parrish. He entered eternal rest on Saturday, August 2, 2025, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Mr. Parrish graduated in the top 10% of his class at Merrick-Moore High School in 1966. During his high school years, he was on the basketball and track teams. In 1965, he placed 2nd in the state in Track and Field. He was also the Senior Class President and became an Eagle Scout.

He attended North Carolina Central University (NCCU), where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Economics. As an active student, he was a swimming instructor, worked a full-time job, and carried a full-time student course load.  While attending NCCU, he met the love of his life, Walterene Morehead, at the end of their freshman year. They dated for three years and were married on August 15, 1970, a short time after their graduation.

After graduating from NCCU, Mr. Parrish began his professional career as a Traffic Associate with General Telephone Electronics of the South (Durham, NC). His accomplishments upon being hired paved a path of ascension as he was promoted to Traffic Engineering Assistant (studies), to Traffic Engineer and Planning Engineer - Service in a span of five years (1970-1975).  In his commitment to achievement, he earned a master's degree in business administration (MBA) in 1977 from North Carolina Central University while working full-time.

Transitioning into the banking industry, Mr. Parrish was hired as a Management Trainee in 1975 with Wachovia Bank in Chapel Hill, NC, and became the Manager of the Consumer Loan Department, then Assistant Vice President (1976-1978), and later the Commercial Loan Officer - Assistant Vice President (1978-1987). Achieving in the banking industry, he accepted the role of Banking Center Manager in 1988 with Bank of America in Charlotte, NC.  From 1993 to 2005, he held several roles within Bank of America that included, Project 93' Trainer, Customer Service Center Trainer, Atlantic South Training and Development Team, Vice President Quality and Productivity Team and Senior Change Analyst Implementation/Testing Team Vice President. Since 2006, he was an advocate for families and businesses as a highly sought-after Tax Specialist with Rapid Tax in Charlotte, NC.

Mr. Parrish was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., through the Durham (NC) Alumni Chapter on May 10, 1972. Throughout his fifty-two years in Kappa, Life Member Parrish worked tirelessly. He served as Polemarch and Vice Polemarch of the Durham (NC) Alumni Chapter and 1st Vice Polemarch and Polemarch of the Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter. He was also instrumental in the chartering of both the Theta Omicron Chapter (UNC-Chapel Hill) and the lota Chapter (Duke University). During this time, he simultaneously served as advisor to the above undergraduate chapters and the Alpha Kappa (NCCU) chapter. For his service to the Fraternity, he was honored with the Middle Eastern Province Man of the Year award. He also led the establishment of the Davidson College Chapter (The Pi Mu), who received their charter under the leadership of Past Polemarch Eugene Price.

His work on the provincial level was extensive. He was Past Senior Vice Polemarch of the Middle Eastern Province and sat as the Province Council Chairman for two host cities, Durham, NC and Charlotte, NC. In 2000, the Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter was named as the host of the 76th Grand Chapter Meeting (2003). He was elected Chapter Polemarch in 2002 and was positioned to serve as the key Kappa representative for the Charlotte (NC) Alumni Chapter.

Mr. Parrish was no stranger to rolling up his sleeves to do the work needed to serve his community. He supported and served: North Carolina Central University, the NCCU School of Business Board of Visitors, Central Piedmont Community College School of Industrial and Business Relations Board Member, Urban Financial Services Coalition, North Carolina Central University Alumni Association, Johnson Branch YMCA Tutorial Program, and Habitat for Humanity.

Left to cherish precious memories is his wife of 54 years, Walterene Morehead Parrish. He also leaves one sister-in-law, Marjorie Scavella of Asheville, NC; one foster sister, Carnethia Gale Parrish of Durham, NC; two adult children, Tanisha Davis (James) of Durham, NC and Tyra Parrish of Charlotte; two grandsons, Zayveon and Thulani Davis of Durham, NC; two bonus grandchildren, James Cousar (Chelsey) of Atlanta, GA, and Jasmine Lawrence (Kenneth) of Greensboro, NC; and a host of loving cousins, other relatives, and friends.