Darlene Francis Battle Parrish was born March 07, 1965, in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Euclid High School as a valedictorian. She then went to Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) metro campus, graduated with a 4.0 grade point average. She was also a member of the Phi Theta Zeta sorority. She also attended Tri-C Western Campus; she was one of the first African Americans to graduate from the Tri-C Western Campus Respiratory Therapy Program. Darlene achieved many accomplishments and milestones. Her credential is as follows: CRT (Certified Registered Therapist), RRT (Registered Respiratory Therapist), CPFT (Certified Pulmonary Function Technologist) NPS (Neonatal/Pediatric Respiratory Care Specialty) RPSGT (Registered Polysomnographic Technologist), SDS (Sleep Disorder Specialty). She was also the first African American female to do Air ground Transport “Life Star” that was based out of Saint Vincent Charity Hospital. She became the first African American female to become a Sleep Coordinator at The Louis Stokes Veterans Affairs Medical Center. She also became one of the first African American women to achieve the credentials of SDS-RRT. She retired after 21 years of service.

She leaves to mourn her Alexandria Parrish (AL), Sister Leoceritta Faison (Sweety), Nephews Dartanyian (Uncle Big Bad/Dart) and Cashmere Washington(Cash). Nieces Desiree (Desi), Nefferteria (Neffe), Feliciana Pratt, and Leah Foster. Goddaughter Amber, grandchildren Alex (Cornbread), Abigail King (Abby), Angelo Easterling-Cook(Peanut). Her Friends/Sisters Felicia Perkins and JeanNat’e Thomas.

She is Proceeded in death by her Mother Leovetta (Washington), Father James Battle, Brother Ronnie Pratt grandmothers Earlia Simpkins and Viola Battle. And her Husband Preston E. Parrish (Spud).