Carmen Shelley Parmele

Carmen Shelley Parmele, 71, daughter of the late Laurie Carlton Shelley and Winifred Wilkerson Shelley, passed away peacefully at home on January 27th.

She graduated from Marion High School in 1971 and Winthrop College in 1975. Carmen always championed the underdog and appropriately attained a degree in Special Education with a concentration on teaching the learning disabled.

Carmen’s first teaching job as an itinerant teacher required teaching students in different middle schools in Florence, South Carolina. She remained in Florence until she married Laurance (Larry) McArthur Parmele in 1978.

Following her marriage to Larry, they moved to Hendersonville, North Carolina, Larry’s hometown. Carmen taught at Hendersonville Junior High for several years before the birth of their daughter Ashley. Shortly thereafter, Carmen entered the business world for the first time by becoming the office manager at The House of Towels, the Parmele family business. She remained there until 1999.

In 2012, Carmen and Larry moved to Lake Keowee, where Carmen thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful views and the tranquility of the water. She called it her paradise.

Sadly, Carmen’s health began to decline around 2019. Prior to her death, she suffered many years of constant pain and immobility.

She is survived by her husband of 46 years, Larry Parmele; daughter - Ashley Claire Parmele; grandchildren - Demarcus, Kianna, and Amyra Grissett, and Nya Williams; sister - Cynthia Shelley Reid (John); nephew - John Carlton Reid III (Abby); and great niece - Madeline Paige Reid.

Mountain View Funerals & Cremations — Seneca Chapel is assisting the family.