Doris Parrish, 89, is an “angel in person” according to her colleagues at the First Baptist Church in Oak Harbor. Parrish has been a member of the church since 1971, when she moved to Whidbey Island with her husband from Southern California.

And even at an advanced age, she is proving that senior citizens are an essential part of North Whidbey’s cadre of volunteers who keep various organizations running.

“Doris Parrish is a very giving person who has a genuine concern for others. It is for that reason that she gets out of bed each morning. It is her reason for living; to help others and to serve the Lord,” said Pastor Clint Webb of First Baptist Church.

Parrish’s outstanding work started many years ago when she worked as a volunteer at the former Oak Harbor Red Cross low-income clinic and later began volunteering for the church in 1996.

As a volunteer, Parrish’s responsibilities include working as a church receptionist and writing notes each week on the bulletins to deployed military members of the church. In addition, she folds and stuffs the bulletins, makes trips twice a month to drop off donated food to Help House and runs various errands for the pastor.

She also keeps busy singing on the worship team, filing music and preparing communion. A fellow church member and close friend of Parrish, Alida Embleton, had only great things to say.

“She is a very dedicated and kind person that always has other people on her mind other than herself. She gives herself totally to humanity and is a family-loving, prayerful person,” Embleton said.

Parrish opens her heart and her home by hosting a Monday night Bible study as well as a Friday afternoon Bible study at another church member’s residence. Parrish also administers the prayer chain in her church and works as a “hugger” during church services.

Another one of Parrish’s main responsibilities is working hand in hand with Stacy Urban, who works in Client Services at the Opportunity Council. The Opportunity Council is a county operated facility that aids low income individuals and families by doling out money for food or bills. She helps out by interviewing aide applicants and verifying that the person is really in need of assistance.

When asked why she works so hard as a volunteer she replied with conviction: “To serve the Lord and to be involved with people.”

Parrish has one adopted son who lives in Seal Beach, Calif. who is also involved in church ministry. In addition, she is very proud of her two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. But she has no plans to leave Oak Harbor.

“I love Whidbey Island and my husband loved it, he never wanted to leave this place,” she said.