Betty Jean Parise

Betty Shell Parise, 93, of Kingsport, Tennessee passed away on May 4, 2026. She was born in Roan Mountain, Tennessee to the late Newell and Anna Shell.

Prior to moving to Kingsport, Betty lived in Palm Beach County, Florida where she met her husband of 67 years, Edward Parise. She, along with her husband, lived in Memphis where their son, Russell, was born, and in Rochester, New York.

Betty taught for twenty-eight years in Kingsport, Palm Beach County schools, and Sullivan County schools where she retired as a reading specialist.

Betty graduated from ETSU with a BS in education and later received her MS plus post graduate credits in reading. While in graduate school, she was elected to membership in Kappa Delta Pi.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by a daughter, Deborah Parise, brother, Jack Shell, and sister, Verda Jackson.

She is survived by a son, Russell Parise (Ann) of Athens, Tennessee; granddaughters, Laura Morgan (Colton) of Lehi, Utah; Jennifer Miller (Dave) of North Wales, Pennsylvania; step-grandsons James Haren of Athens, and John Haren (Andrea) of Etowah, Tennessee; great-grandchildren Gia and Nix Morgan, Chase and Brynn Miller; sisters Carolyn Shoun and Marilyn Cunningham (George) both of Mountain City, Tennessee; and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will assemble at The Blake in Kingsport on Wednesday, May 13, at 2 pm with Reverend Dr. Randy Frye officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to First Broad Street United Methodist Church in Kingsport, or to Holston Home for Children in Greenville, TN.

Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the family, online condolences can be shared with the family on our website at www.trinitymemorialcenters.com.