Mena Nunzia Parris

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Mena Nunzia Parris, age 77, of Decatur, Georgia. She passed away June 28, 2023 at Emory Decatur Hospital. She was surrounded by her children and grandchildren as she took her last breath, holding court one last time.

Mena was born on March 25, 1946 in Naples, Italy. It was there that she met Leamon Eugene "Gino" Parris, the love of her life, when he was stationed in Naples with the U.S. Navy. Mena came to America with Gino when she was young, and she folded into his family. It was difficult leaving her family behind, but she stayed well-connected with them over the years, from afar. Her beloved aunt Maria Forgione D'Orsi and two cousins Ersilia and Ciro also moved to the US, and they were an important part of her new life. Mena navigated American culture with dignity and ease. She grew close to her husband's family and became one of their own.

In her young adulthood Mena always wore the latest fashions and hair-styles. She was a beautiful, striking woman, who stood out in a crowd. Over the years her priorities shifted as she grew to focus more on the simple pleasures of life.

Mena and Gino were married over 61 years, and did almost everything together. They raised their kids, and later their grandchildren, with great love and devotion. Mena was the best cook, mastering both Southern Italian and Southern American foods - recipes she learned and perfected at the side of her mother, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, and others. She loved to feed everyone, including the doctors who cared for her over the years, and her home was open to everyone at dinner time. She loved music of all kinds, especially traditional Napolitan songs, classic country music, rock n' roll , and pop. She avoided politics but stayed abreast of celebrity culture. When they were younger she and Gino liked to go out dancing, be it disco or country two-step. As they got older she loved to have him take her on trips to casinos where she played the slots with her cousin or her sister-in-law.

Her Catholic faith was an important part of her life. But more importantly than any outward expression of religion, she loved Jesus and had a direct line to Him. She believed in the power of prayer, which she engaged in fervently and frequently. One way she lived her faith was by having little to no judgment towards others. She chose to focus only on the good in everyone, and tried to always lead with love and kindness.

Mena was prouder of nothing more than her family. Her grandkids were her world. She believed in the overwhelming power of familial love, and you could sense it radiating off of everything she said, did, and felt. She was passionate in her emotions and modeled authenticity. She cared fiercely, and despite any stress or pain, her family and loved ones were what occupied her mind. Her husband Gino was a dedicated caregiver through her numerous health challenges in recent years, and she was ever grateful for his love and devotion.

Mena was preceded in death by her parents Adele Forgione and Alfredo Tramontin, her brother Alfredo Tramontin, her sister Maria Buonocore, and her baby son Eugene Andre Parris. She is survived by her husband Leamon Eugene Parris of Decatur, GA; daughter and daughter-in-law Margaret Parris and Lynn Boren-Parris of Lawrenceville, GA; son and daughter-in-law Chris and Sandy Parris of Suwanee, GA; daughter and daughter-in-law Angela and Jolene Schira of Durham, NC; grandchildren Jaime Asato of Honolulu HI, Rachel and Mitchell Parris of Suwanee GA, and Luca, Mena and Ozzy Schira of Durham, NC; sisters Giuseppina Tortorella and Rita Tramontin of Naples, Italy; close cousin Ersilia Coletta of Cumming, GA; as well as many beloved family and friends across the globe.

A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 11:00AM in the Chapel of A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home, presided over by Pastor Chris Hermansen and Father Jim Stormes. Interment will follow at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, July 2, 2023 from 3:00PM until 5:00PM (Father Jim Stormes will be present for prayer at 4:00PM).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital at https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude