Joe Cephus Parris, Jr.

Joe Cephus Parris, Jr. age 81 of Quitman, Texas passed away on September 18, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. He was born on December 18, 1942, in Greenville, Texas to Wilma Irene (Chambliss) and Joe Cephus Parris. Joe was married to Patsy Almon Parris who preceded him in death in September of 2016. 

The Parris family will receive friends at Lowe-Gardner Funeral and Cremations on Saturday, October 12, 2024, beginning at 9 AM, and at 10 AM, depart for Cumby Cemetery in Cumby, TX for a Graveside service at Noon. The service will be officiated by Bro. Mark Edge and Morgan Whitley, and Michael Hipp will share memories on behalf of family and friends.

After finishing high school, Joe became a bank teller, working while attending college at Southern Methodist University, earning his degree, and eventually becoming Bank President at Wood County National Bank in Quitman, Texas. He is fondly remembered in our community as a man who helped many achieve their dreams as well as helping many through hard times serving as our community Banker. He will be remembered for his Elvis impersonation shows, entertaining anywhere he was called to do so, and spending time in several nursing homes, bringing smiles to many faces. He actively participated in the Quitman Community Theatre. Joe was a past honoree of the Quitman Chamber of Commerce, having been named the Citizen of the Year.

He was a devoted member of the Church of Christ throughout his life, sometimes teaching bible classes, and as recently as the last few weeks of his life, serving as song leader, but always, living as a servant in the work of Jesus Christ.

Joe Parris is survived by his daughter, Deena and her husband Dr. Gregory Eberhart of Quitman, TX; daughter, Patti and her husband Reggie Spence, of Teague, TX; granddaughters, Baylee and her husband Brayden Sessions of Nebraska, Brittany Pilkton of Teague,TX, and Leighann Franzen of Wichita, KS; and his precious great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Kelsee McKinley of Mineola, TX.