Blendia Gail Parris

Blendia Gail Parris, 69, of Cordova, passed from this life on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Methodist Le Bonheur Hospital in Germantown. She was born in Trumann, Arkansas, on March 27, 1956, to Harold and Hettie Presley.

Blendia worked many years in the family restaurant, Presley’s Drive In, before continuing her career in medical administration until her retirement. She had a love for arts and crafts, especially making wreaths—it’s been said she may have owned more wreaths than anyone else! Blendia was known for her big personality and for being the life of the party. She was an animal lover and found her greatest joy spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Hettie Presley, and her sister, Phyllis Ann Langston.

Blendia is survived by her husband, Neil Parris, who she has been with for the last 34 years; sons, Chris Sones (Shawn) of Abbeville, Mississippi, and Verl Sones of Memphis; daughters, Rebecca Beasley (Tony) of Arlington, Tennessee, and Anna Catherine (Anthony) of Memphis; father, Harold Presley of Jonesboro; brother, Terry Lee Presley (Kelly) of Jonesboro; sister, Pamela Clark (Jerry Don) of Jonesboro; grandchildren, Roman Sones (Tobi), Erica Keenum (Jeremy), Kelsey Ferfus (Sam), Kelly Ingram (Tristan), and Aaron Tatum (Tori); and great-grandchildren,  Abigail Sones, Elizabeth Sones, Timothy Sones, Wyatt Keenum, Rhett Keenum, Laken Keenum, Zelda Ferfus, Elyzza Love, Jazlyn Love, Josie Neeley, Asia Neely, Ryker Ingram, Isla Jewel Tatum, Ally Mae Tatum, Grace Anne Heeg.

Visitation will be held at Christian Valley Christian Church on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 1:00–2:00 p.m., followed by the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. William C. Holt. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Roman Sones, Tristen Ingram, Jarrett Clark, Jeremy Keenum, Jace Clark, Dax Langston, Brandon Clines, Terry Presley, and Neal Allen.