KING OF PRUSSIA, PA (ABNS 7/15/25)—Rev. Dr. Walter L. Parrish, II, former regional executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of the South, died on Sunday July 6, 2025. Parrish served the region as its Executive Minister beginning in 1979 until his retirement in December 2014.
The American Baptist Churches of the South region shared, “We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to Dr. Parrish’s children, grandchildren and family and the ABCOTS region community. Dr. Parrish was ABCOTS longest serving regional Executive Minister, in January, 1979, Dr. Walter L. Parrish, II left the pastorate of the St. John Baptist Church of Columbia, Maryland to become the third Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the South.”
“On behalf of ABCUSA, I extend our heartfelt condolences and prayers to the family, friends and all that mourn the passing of Dr. Walter Parrish, II,” said Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain, general secretary of American Baptist Churches USA. “We will always be grateful for his dedication to the clergy and churches of ABCOTS and his commitment to our denomination.”
Prior to his work with ABCOTS and St. John Baptist Church, Dr. Parrish also pastored Zion Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Va., First Baptist Church, Baltimore, MD, and Forest Level Baptist Church, Forest, Va., and was a regional director for the “Fund of Renewal,” a capitol fundraising campaign conducted among American Baptist Churches and the Progressive National Baptist Convention.
A native of Logan, W.V., he was licensed to preach at the age of 15 by the First Baptist Church of Huntington, W.V., where he was later ordained.
Funeral Services
Thursday, July 17
Viewing at Vaughn Greene Funeral Services, PA, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
https://vaughncgreene.com/8/Home.html
4905 York Rd. Baltimore, MD
Friday, July 18
Huber Memorial Church – 5700 Loch Raven Blvd, Baltimore, MD
Viewing – 10:00 a.m.
Celebration of Life – 11:00 a.m.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.