John Knight Parlett

John Knight Parlett, Sr., 68, of Charlotte Hall, MD died on May 1, 2005 at his residence. Born February 1, 1937 he was the son of the late Lawrence Linthicum and Lucy Louise Fowler Parlett. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Ann Mattingly Parlett, whom he married on August 20, 1954 in Our Lady’s Church, Medley’s Neck, MD. He is also survived by his children: John Knight Parlett, Jr., of Charlotte Hall, MD; Joseph Lawrence Parlett, Sr. of Charlotte Hall, MD; Cathleen Parlett Moeller of St. Leonard, MD; Cynthia Parlett Pickett of Wilmington, NC; William Timothy Parlett of Huntingtown, MD; Robert Wayne Parlett of Charlotte Hall, MD; and, Julie Parlett DeCesaris of Davidsonville, MD. Also surviving are twenty grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Louise Parlett Gardiner, Lawrence L. Parlett, Jr. and Eugenia Parlett Smitha. Mr. Parlett was a life-long St. Mary’s County resident and attended Charlotte Hall Military Academy. He was a farmer, businessman, politician and an avid collector of antique farming tools and equipment. He also served as a member of the Maryland National Guard for five years. Mr. Parlett served as a St. Mary’s County Commissioner from 1974 – 1978; as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1981 – 1986; and, was the Founder of the “John K. Parlett Farm-Life Museum of Southern Maryland” which sponsors the annual “Southern Maryland Farm-Life Festival” for the benefit of St. Mary’s County Christmas in April program. Prayers will be said on Tuesday, May 3, 2005 at 7:00 P.M in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home P. A., Leonardtown, MD where the family will receive visitors from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated, Wednesday, May 4, 2005 at 10:00 A.M. in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Compton, MD with Father John Mattingly officiating. Interment will be private. Pallbearers for Mr. Parlett will be his grandsons: John K. Parlett III, Joseph L. Parlett II, Kyle R. Moeller, Marshall M. Pickett, Robert W. Parlett II, and Matthew T. Parlett. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren: Kristin Pickett Vasilj, Jill Parlett, Michael Parlett, Ashley Parlett, Hailey Parlett, Parlett Pickett, Luke Moeller, Jessica Parlett, Kevin Parlett, Alexandra DeCesaris, Garrett Moeller, Jacob Parlett, Gabrielle DeCesaris and Catherine DeCesaris. Contributions may be made to the St. Francis Xavier Church Rectory Fund, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Compton, MD 20627 and/or Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 15, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. Arrangements provided by the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.