Karolyn May Parsons

Karolyn May Parsons, 78, of Haughton, Louisiana, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Monday, September 21, 2026.

Karolyn May was born to parents Ralph and Mary Ella Jesmer on January 26, 1948, in Denver, Colorado, alongside twin sister Marolyn Kay in the middle of a snowstorm. Karolyn met her husband, Frederick Parsons, in Denver, and they married in 1968, having 52 years together before his passing in 2020. As an Army couple, Karolyn and Fred moved around to different duty stations, welcoming four children along the way and ultimately settling down in Haughton, Louisiana.

Karolyn was an avid crafter, baker, and quilter, gifting many quilts and cross-stitches to her family and friends over the years. She was an active member of the Airline Drive Church of Christ for several decades. Karolyn devoted her time to helping those in need whenever she could and volunteering at her church. She stayed home, raising her four children through their school years. At that time, she became a school bus driver for the Bossier Parish School District, ensuring kids made it to school safely every day until her retirement. Karolyn always looked forward to trips to her family’s mountain property in Colorado, where she was able to reconnect with her roots at the river.

Karolyn is preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Mary Ella Jesmer; husband, Frederick E. Parsons; siblings, Therese Sumwalt, Alice Gonzalez, Marolyn Rittenhouse, Nancy Schooley, Willi Jesmer, Gerard Jesmer, Glenn Jesmer; niece, Heather Schooley; nephew, Eric Sumwalt.

Karolyn is survived by her children, Krystal Fox, Gleena Rhae, Bradley Parsons, and Dustin Parsons (Katie); grandchildren, Andrew Shearer, Emily (Alexander) Magruder, Timothy Fox, Bridget Shearer, Christopher Fox, Matthew Fox; great-grandchildren, Blaire and Josephine; brothers-in-law, Jack Schooley, and Charles Sumwalt; and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:30 am at Airline Drive Church of Christ, 2125 Airline Dr., Bossier City, LA 71111 with a lunch reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate in Karolyn’s memory to the Dementia Society of America: https://Dementia Society of America/donate