Mrs. Evazella Burgess Parsons, 97, of West Jefferson, NC, passed away Tuesday morning, April 26, 2016, at her home. Mrs. Parsons was born in Ashe County on October 7, 1918, to the late Wiley and Matilda Absher Burgess. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Henry Foy Parsons; two sons, James Foy Parsons, Sr. and Gary Parsons; her brothers and sisters, Woodrow Burgess, Oscar Burgess, Ada Severt, Chessie Ball, Alton Burgess, Esther South and Hazel Bare. She retired from Sprague Electric after working for 30 years. She was a lifelong member of Obids Baptist Church. Evazella was known for her wonderful cooking – her biscuits, which she learned to make as a young girl using the family woodstove, were praised by family and friends far and wide, and her chicken and dumplings were always the first to go at family and church gatherings. She loved to feed people and her hospitality was known throughout the county. Some of her happiest moments were spent surrounded by family and friends, both old and new, around a table filled to bursting with homecooked Southern food, much of it grown in her own garden. She loved gardening and enjoyed her time outside tending her vegetables and flowers. She frequently astonished visitors with her huge heirloom tomatoes and colorful beds of flowers. She extended her love of color to her other hobby, quilting, and many who knew her have her bright, warm quilts as lasting keepsakes. Mrs. Parsons is survived by a son, Gwyn Parsons and wife, June, of Boone; a brother, Edward Burgess, of Mountain City, TN; seven grandchildren, James Parsons, Jr., Jason Parsons, Jennifer Parsons, Joy Kee, Kelly Melton, Ariel Snyder and Erin Parsons; nine great-grandchildren, Collier Kee, Miles Kee, Thatcher Kee, Delaney Parsons, Landry Parsons, Tilley Parsons, Solomon Bracero, Sydney Bracero and Sterling Bracero; several nieces and nephews also survive. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 28, 2016, at 2:00 pm at Obids Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Graybeal, Elder Floyd South and Rev. Mark Harless officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 pm on Thursday, one hour prior to the funeral service. Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to Obids Baptist Church Cemetery, c/o Raymond Bare, 1325 Old Obids Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694.