Gelliah Parris

Gelliah Parris, 83, of Indianapolis, passed away February 15^th, 2023. She was born in Somerset, Kentucky August 9^th, 1939, to parents Victor and Ina (Wombles) Hargis.

She grew up in Kentucky, and later moved to Indiana to be with her sister.

In 1963, on a city bus, a young man, Charles Parris, approached Gelliah. Even though she tried to ignore him, he persisted, and Gelliah agreed to a date at Virginia Grill. Charles and Gelliah fell in love, and were married shortly thereafter on March 22^nd, 1963.

Gelliah’s great love for children started early in life. She worked as a live-in nanny and in the St. Francis Maternity ward for several years. Later, as her own family grew, she became a full-time homemaker and loved babysitting for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Gelliah was lively, loving woman with a wicked sense of humor. She was a valued member of the local Red Hat Ladies, and her local quilting circle. She and Charles enjoyed the outdoors, camping and fishing every season, and following their grandkids from ballpark to ballpark. In the wintertime, Gelliah transformed into Mrs. Clause, alongside her Santa (Charles). She was a savvy card player. Good luck to anyone playing Gelliah in a game of Euchre.

She was a devoted wife, loving sister, adoring mother, and the best grandma and great grandma. She was loved by many and will be sorely missed.

Gelliah is survived by her husband Charles; children Virginia Allmond, Charles Earl Parris Jr, Mary Beatty (Ken), Donna Vawter (John), Terry Jackson (Kelly), John Parris (Lisa) and Louise Parris; 16 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren; siblings JL Hargis, Gathel Taylor, Clinton Hargis, Audrey Taylor, Helen Hill, Clifton Hargis, Donald Hargis, Doris Tucker, and Deloris Hood.

She is preceded by her parents, Victor and Ina Hargis; siblings Rosetta Hargis, Excus Hargis, Fostine Hargis, Imogene Atkins, Clemon Hargis, Elzar “Bud” Hargis, and Arnold Hargis; Grandchild Krista Dardy (Allmond), and great-grandchild Savannah Rae Vawter.

Visitation for Gelliah will be Friday February 24^th, at Flanner Buchanan Washington Park East from 4pm-8pm. Her funeral will be Saturday February 25^th at 11am. She will ultimately be laid to rest at Washington Park East Cemetery.