Celia Ray Parsons O’Briant

Celia Ray Parsons O’Briant, 78, of Randleman, NC, passed away May 10, 2024 at Brookdale at Walden Ridge in Asheville.

Celia was born on June 4, 1945 in Nashville, TN. She is preceded in death by her parents, Rev. Preston Duane Parsons and Nina Ray Wilcox Parsons.

Celia earned a B.A. in Sociology and M.Ed in Counseling from N.C. State University. In her early career, she helped create the Department of Early Childhood Education at Alamance Community College (formerly Technical Institute of Alamance). She managed the office of O'Briant Builders for many years, and later became a certified mediator. She was a member of Pleasant Union United Methodist Church in Julian, and later, the Brevard Wesleyan Church. Celia was an avid flower and vegetable gardener, home canner and volunteer. She dedicated time to the Greensboro Youth Symphony, the Greensboro Symphony Guild and the United Way. Celia loved music, dogs, hiking and traveling with her family. She welcomed numerous exchange students into her home and was always a generous and loving host. As an accomplished Mediator, Celia helped many people, families and institutions across NC to resolve disputes, including work with the US Postal Service. She trained many mediators through her affiliation with Mediation, Inc.

Surviving Celia is her loving husband of 16 years, John D. Melcher; brother, Preston Duane Parsons, Jr. of Burlington, NC; daughters, Amanda O'Briant (Elizabeth Broyles) of Durham, NC, Kelly O'Briant (Mathew Thomason) Irving, TX, Johanna O'Briant Pierce (Charles) of Asheville, NC; grandsons, Samuel Oblinger of Asheville, NC, Liam Broyles-O'Briant of Durham, NC; granddaughters, Hazel Broyles-O'Briant, and Corinne Broyles-O'Briant both of Durham, NC.

Celebration of Life for family and friends will be held May 19, 2024 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Hagan Stone Park, shelter #4. with Lunch at 1:00 PM. Guests are encouraged to bring a chair.

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