Sarah Betty Moncrief Parkell, 97, of Gainesville, FL passed away on Tuesday, April 19, 2022.
Betty was born on October 31, 1924 to Rosaline and Cecil Moncrief in Greenville, GA.
Betty graduated from Greenville High School in 1942 and married Barrie Parkell in 1946. Betty and Barrie were blessed with two daughters, Rosalyn and Edie. They moved to Gainesville, FL in 1959, where she and Barrie became members of First Baptist Church. Betty taught Sunday School at First Baptist for twelve years, then joined the Golden Gleam Sunday School class. She also served on various church committees and she and Barrie served as deacons. Betty was particularly fond of her Sunday School class and her missions-focused teachers. She was the administrative assistant to the Head of Finance & Accounting at the University of Florida and worked in the Guidance Office and Dean’s Office at Gainesville High School.
As a generous-hearted and socially minded person, it is no surprise that Betty leaves behind a legacy of community activity. She served the community as a volunteer at Alachua General Hospital for over 25 years. She crocheted thousands of “bookworms” for the Alachua County Schools Volunteers program to encourage literacy in school children. Betty was also a member of the Gainesville Women’s Club and volunteered with Haven Attic for eight years. She was active in the Gainesville Garden Club and served as Chairman of the Hibiscus Circle. Betty was a lifetime member of MOAA/Military Officers’ Wives Club, a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow, and an honorary member of Florida Sheriffs Association. She derived great joy from connecting with her extended family, playing with her bridge club, spending time with her many friends and neighbors, and spoiling her grandchildren and their families.
Betty is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Barrie, and her brother, Cecil Moncrief. Betty’s memory will be honored by her daughters, Rosalyn (Hal) Kennedy and Edie (Lloyd) Singleton, her grandchildren, Ian Kennedy, Sara (Bryan) Moore, and Jonathan (Emily) Singleton, and her five energetic great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church of Gainesville on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to First Baptist, Betty’s church home.
