Mrs. Gloria Grace Birkholz Parsons, of Crumpler passed away on Saturday afternoon, December 20, 2008 at her residence. Mrs. Parson was born in LaPorte, Indiana to the late Henry and Pearl Birkholz. She was an Artist. At the age of ten, her mother recognized her talent. She taught art lessons at Guhl School of Art in Southern Michigan. At the age of 12 she had her first showing. During her lifetime, she painted over 200 paintings of family, friends and landscaping. She has also had her work displayed at the Ashe County Public Library. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Henry Birkholz; three sisters, Lenora Ottinger, Katie Scott and Leona Wendt. She is survived by her husband, Ladd Parsons; two sons, David Blanchard and Roy Blanchard, both of Florida; two daughters, Gloria Nye, of Louisiana and Louann Wasserman, of Florida; eight grandchildren also survive. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Ashe Humane Society, PO Box 1776, West Jefferson, NC 28694.