Pinkie Parrott

Pinkie James (Young) Parrott was born on January 14, 1939, in Greenville, Mississippi to Theresa & James Young, who both precede her in death. Pinkie was the eldest of three children from this union which included her brother, Thomas Young, and her sister, Mary (Young) White. She was named after her paternal grandmother, Pinkie Young. From an early age, Pinkie loved the Lord and she grew up attending the Baptist Church.

After her parents divorced, Pinkie’s mother, Theresa, moved the family to Chicago, Illinois where she remarried and had four more children: Raymond, June, Wayne and Cheryl. Her father also remarried and had five additional children: Robert (Delois), Vernon (deceased), Frank (deceased), Kathryn, and Patricia, all of Greenville Mississippi.

Pinkie attended Du Sable High School in Chicago, where she was a cheerleader and was named Beauty Queen in her senior year. She also excelled academically, especially in biology and math. Pinkie’s first job during high school was at the local Tasty Freeze. Before graduating high school in 1956, Pinkie met her future husband, Thomas (Tommy) H. Parrott, Jr. They married in July of 1957. Tommy was enlisted in the Marine Corps and was stationed in El Toro and San Diego, California where he and Pinkie relocated to by the Fall of 1957. Shortly thereafter, Pinkie and Tommy were expecting their first child, Karen. Pinkie temporarily moved back to Chicago to be close to family during her first pregnancy. In 1958, Tommy, Pinkie and Karen moved to South Carolina where Tommy was assigned by the Marine Corp for a short period of time. In 1959, he was again re-assigned back to California where Pinkie and Tommy welcomed their second child, Denise. Upon his discharge from the Marine Corp, Tommy, along with Pinkie and family, settled in Los Angeles, California where they welcomed their third child, Sondra. In 1963, Pinkie and Tommy purchased their first home in Los Angeles where they enjoyed entertaining family and friends. Pinkie also enjoyed social clubs, family holiday parties, and casual gatherings at her home. Pinkie enjoyed a 30+ years professional banking career. Her first banking experience was as a key-punch operator with the Federal Reserve Bank in downtown Los Angeles. She worked for the Federal Reserve Bank from 1962-1969. In 1969, Pinkie and Tommy moved their young family to Orange County, California where they purchased their second home. Upon relocating to Orange County, Pinkie began working for Union Bank in the city of Orange. She worked at various bank office locations, held a range of positions, traveled extensively for the bank, and ultimately retired from the bank in 1995 as Vice President of Consumer Loan Operations in Panorama City, California.

Pinkie had a passion for cooking, music, bowling, sewing, dancing and traveling. She was also an avid movie buff, Star Trek fanatic (the original series), and never forgot to tape her favorite soap operas! Pinkie was one of the top bowlers on Union Bank’s bowling league, participated in many bowling tournaments, and garnered numerous bowling trophies which she proudly displayed at home. On occasion, in her early days of living in Orange County, you could also catch her roller skating at the local skating rink in Santa Ana. She introduced her daughters to this favorite Chicago pastime of hers, in addition to teaching them how to sew, crochet and not only to bowl, but how to keep score as well! Pinkie and Tommy divorced in 1976, and Pinkie eventually moved to Tustin, California where she resided for the remainder of her life. Pinkie was beautiful, delightful and had an engaging personality. She loved to laugh, have fun with her family and close friends, and usually had a glass of wine in hand to celebrate the occasion. She was also a stylish dresser with a distinct flare for fashion. Pinkie will be sorely missed by her family, especially on Thanksgiving and Christmas, as her holiday meals were the best! Her signature pot of gumbo on New Year’s Day is another longstanding tradition that will be missed by all who were lucky enough to experience it!

Pinkie went through RCIA to become a Catholic later in life, and was a parishioner at St. Cecilia Church in Tustin, California. During her retirement years, some of her favorite activities included going to casinos, Johnny Mathis concerts, and attending the Annual Union Bank Follies in Palm Springs with a group of her bank retiree friends, which included her bestie, Claudette. After a series of health issues, and a brief stay at Kindred Hospital in Santa Ana, California, Pinkie was called by God to her eternal rest on Thursday, December 8, 2022.

Pinkie was predeceased by her parents: Theresa Young and Thomas Young; two brothers: Vernon Young and Frank Young; and three nephews: Michael, Eric, and Patrick. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, three daughters: Karen Parrott, Denise Williams-Quarles (Venson), and Sondra Lee (Brian); nine siblings: Thomas Young, Mary White (Norbert), June Lett, Raymond Young, Wayne Young, Cheryl Young, Robert Young (Delois), Kathryn Young, and Patricia Young; five grandchildren: Jason Parrott, Danielle Williams, Patrice Bragg, Patrick Williams, and Jevon Bragg; four great-grandchildren: Oriana Moreno (Roman), Ky-Mani, Tyrion, and Isaiah; two great-great-grandchildren: Onyx and Okenite; 14 nieces and nephews: Debra, Lori (Adebayo), Donna (Tim), Dean (Dionne), Norbert Jr., Tony, Zenikki, Sean, Darren, Marcus, Gloria, Theresa, Wayne Jr., Sheryl (Darryl) and Chris; as well as countless extended family and friends.

A repast luncheon will be held in the church hall immediately following funeral services

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