Beloved teacher who touched ‘countless lives’ dies after 30-year career, SC district says
A teacher who touched “countless lives” died after a decades-long career in education, South Carolina officials said.
Melissa Parris spent 25 years as a first-grade teacher at Woodland Heights Elementary in Spartanburg, where she is remembered for making her mark on students and staff.
“She loved her students dearly and made it her mission to not only teach them the basics of academics, but also how to be life-long learners, friends, and neighbors,” Spartanburg County School District Six wrote Dec. 12 on Facebook.
But Parris’ life was cut short after she was diagnosed with cancer, officials said.
“Even throughout her fight against cancer, Melissa maintained a positive attitude and made the following quote her mantra(:) “’When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,’” the school district wrote.
Dozens of people took to Facebook to share their condolences with the school district, which said Parris had been in the education field for 30 years.
“We know that her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched,” officials wrote. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family, friends, and to the Woodland Heights school community who love her dearly.”
This story was originally published December 13, 2022 at 1:17 PM with the headline "Beloved teacher who touched ‘countless lives’ dies after 30-year career, SC district says."
