Inez Parenteau, 71, of China Grove, peacefully passed away Friday, December 15, 2017 at Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury, NC.

She was born September 2, 1946 in Alabama to the late Emory Wall and Lucille Muzzo. Inez was the first female uniformed police officer in the State of Florida. After working for the Indian Harbor Beach Police Department, she managed a roller skating rink in Merritt Island, she managed the Star Dust Inn at Daytona Beach, and worked for Votran. Later moving to North Carolina, she drove a bus for the City of Salisbury. She also owned her own cleaning business before ending up as a carrier for the Salisbury Post. In her spare time, she enjoyed helping animals and gardening.

Inez is survived by her two sons, Paul Stevens of Port Orange, FL, and John Stevens of Salisbury, NC; daughter, Teresa Hall of Rockwell, NC; brother, Tony Wall of Whitter, NC; aunt, Helen Hutten in Viera, FL; and grandchildren, Stacy, Dakota, Trevor, and Abbygail.

There will be a private memorial service held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to ASPCA, 1-800-628-0028.

Carolina Cremation is assisting the Parenteau family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.