Mrs Lutie Davis Parrish

Who was Lutie Davis Parrish?

Lutie Davis Parrish was a 59 (fifty-nine) year-old American woman who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic. Born on July 16, 1852, in Lexington, Kentucky, she led a life of adventure and travel before becoming a part of one of history’s most infamous maritime disasters.

Early Life and Background

Kentucky Roots

Lutie Davis was born to William Temple and Margaret Eliot in Lexington, Kentucky. She grew up in a working-class background, which would later contrast with her reputation as a social climber.

Marriage and Family

On May 24, 1870, at the age of 17 (seventeen), Lutie married Samuel Edward Parrish, also a native of Lexington. The couple initially settled in their hometown and later moved to Versailles, Kentucky, where they spent many years.

A Life of Travel

What sparked Lutie’s wanderlust?

After years of settled life in Kentucky, Lutie developed an insatiable appetite for travel. She began embarking on journeys around the world, often accompanied by her “daughter” Imanita Shelley Hall, while leaving the men of the family behind.

Lutie and Imanita developed a reputation for being social climbers though both had come from working class backgrounds.

This penchant for travel would become a defining characteristic of Lutie’s life, eventually leading her to board the ill-fated Titanic.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Unsinkable Ship

As a resident of Woodford County, Kentucky, Lutie boarded the RMS Titanic at Southampton as a second-class passenger. She was accompanied by Imanita Shelley of Deer Lodge, Montana. Their ticket number was 230433, and they paid £26 for their passage.

The Fateful Night

On the night of April 14, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg, Lutie found herself in the midst of chaos and panic. According to an affidavit given by Imanita to the United States Senate on May 15, 1912, their escape was not without incident:

An “Italian” (possibly Gus Cohen) jumped into their boat (lifeboat 12) when it was being lowered. He bruised Lutie’s side and leg.

Despite this traumatic experience, Lutie survived the sinking and was rescued aboard lifeboat 12.

Life After the Titanic

How did the Titanic disaster impact Lutie’s life?

Surprisingly, the Titanic disaster seemed to have little effect on Lutie’s wanderlust. After surviving the tragedy, the Parrish family:

1. Lived in Missouri for a while
2. Relocated to Honolulu, Hawaii after World War I
3. Continued to travel the world

In 1927, at the age of 75 (seventy-five), Lutie left Hawaii for a world tour that lasted several months.

Final Years and Legacy

Lutie Davis Parrish’s adventurous life came to an end on August 7, 1930, in Haole, Ewa, Hawaii. She was 78 (seventy-eight) years old. Her final days were marked by:

• A massive cerebral hemorrhage on July 31, 1930
• A week-long struggle before passing away at 5:00 P.M. on August 7

Lutie was buried in a solitary grave in the Oahu Cemetery in Honolulu. Interestingly, her death certificate lists her as “Lucy Parrish” and provides an incorrect date and place of birth.

A Lasting Impression

While Lutie’s body remains the only one of her family buried in Hawaii, her legacy lives on through her remarkable life story. From her humble beginnings in Kentucky to her world travels and survival of one of history’s most famous disasters, Lutie Davis Parrish’s life was truly extraordinary.

Her daughter, Imanita Parrish Shelley, continued the family tradition of travel, moving between Montana, Kentucky, Missouri, Oregon, California, Washington, and Hawaii in the years following Lutie’s death.

Lutie Davis Parrish’s life serves as a testament to the human spirit’s resilience and the enduring allure of adventure, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.