Rev. Gary M. Parrish
submitted by Rev. Parrish for Inman Church History
The Rev. Gary M. Parrish, son of Clara Rowe Lamb and step-son of Ralph Weldon Lamb, was born on February 14, 1942 in Harris County, Georgia. He became a part of the Inman Community and Inman Church when his mother married Ralph Lamb in 1958.
Gary attended Young Harris College and LaGrange College by a financial scholarship provided him by the Inman Church.
It was at a Charge Conference in the Inman Church that Gary was recommended to be licensed to preach in the Methodist Church. He has pastored the following churches: Hillcrest, LaGrange, Georgia; Andrews Chapel, Newnan, Georgia; Franklin United Methodist, Franklin, Georgia; Bethel, Atlanta, Georgia; Faith, Smyrna, Georgia; First United Methodist, Fayetteville, Georgia; Trinity-on-the-Hill, Augusta, Georgia; and presently is serving as senior minister of the First United Methodist Church of Newnan, Georgia.
Gary married the former Mary Ann Daniel of Franklin, Georgia on September 19, 1965. They have two daughters, Beth and Jena. Beth is married to the Rev. Jim Ellison, pastor of Providence United Methodist Church of Peachtree City. They live in Fayetteville. Jena is married to Riley "Rusty" Evans. Jena and Rusty are both public school teachers and reside in Fayetteville, Georgia. Gary and Ann have one grandchild, William Parrish Ellison, born on October 8, 1994. He is the son of Beth and Jim Ellison.
Gary writes of the Inman Church, "It is the church with a warm heart and a caring spirit. It is the church that takes seriously the commands and challenges of Christ. I am glad Inman Community and Church are part of my heritage. May God continue to bless the church in the future as He has in the past."
Gary M. Parrish
January 17, 1997
First United Methodist Church
Newnan, Georgia
descendent of Lamb and Chambers families
