Jemima Sue Parnell

Jemima Sue Hicks Parnell, 89, of Lonoke, Arkansas, passed peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, into the arms of her Lord on June 6, 2025. She was born in Scott, Arkansas on January 1, 1936, to Loyd Henry and Bethel Varnell Hicks.

Sue had been a member of the Lonoke Baptist Church since she was a little girl. She loved the Lord and spoke of how He had always blessed her. She was baptized at 13 and talked of the experience often, and how much it meant to her.

One of her favorite stories to share was how she met the love of her life, “her James Bond” Harold Dean Parnell, her husband of 41 years. He proposed to her in his truck at the stop sign on England and 4th Street in Lonoke. Every time we came to that stop sign, she would share the story, and we would smile.

Harold joined the Navy, and off they went. He was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. After he completed his service, they moved back to Lonoke and bought their first home in 1956 and raised a family. They remained there for the rest of their lives.

Sue was a homemaker, wonderful cook and an excellent seamstress. She made beautiful clothes from viewing clothing items in a department store. She would cut a pattern from memory and create an amazing piece of clothing. She also made stunning quilts, a talent she learned from her mother.

Sue was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. Family meant everything to her. She was loving, kind, gentle, and had godly wisdom. It was always a joy to be in her company. She will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved her.

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Loyd Henry and Wanda Bethel Hicks; her husband, Harold Dean Parnell; her brother, Loyd “Bo” Hicks, Jr.; granddaughter, Amanda Harris.

Left behind to cherish her memory are her children, Harold Patrick (Sandra) Parnell of Lonoke, Arkansas, Michael Dean Parnell of Montoursville, Pennsylvania, and Michele Sue (James) Harris of Cabot, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Sylvia Parker of North Little Rock, Arkansas. She also leaves five grandchildren, Chris (Brianne) Parnell, Jason Parnell, Chase Slack, Logan (Hailey) Slack, and Michael Harris; eight great-grandchildren, Jillian Parnell, Beckett Parnell, Avery Parnell, Greyson Parnell, Kai Slack, Keller Slack, Willow Slack, Wilder Slack and many other nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Lonoke Nursing and Rehab for the love and care of Sue over the past year. Your kindness has meant the world to us.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. June 9, 2025, followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 p.m. at the Lonoke Baptist Church and burial at Lonoke Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Boyd Funeral Home, Lonoke, Arkansas. Online guestbook, www.boydfuneralhome.net