Jimmie Nell Denton

Celebrating the Life of Jimmie Nell Parish Denton

Life's Journey

The life of Jimmie Nell Parish Denton began on March 27, 1940, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where she was born to the late Isaac and Legatha Ashley Parish. She was the second of seven children and grew up surrounded by a loving family and strong community roots. On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Jimmie peacefully departed her earthly tabernacle to enter her eternal rest.

Jimmie's spiritual journey began early. At the age of twelve, she accepted Christ as her Savior under the guidance of the late Rev. T.J. Taylor at Lampkin Chapel Baptist Church. In 1972, she united with St. Peter's Rock Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. C.J. Jones. Over the years, she served faithfully in numerous ministries, including Church Secretary, Usher, Director of the Youth Department, Church Trustee, and-her favorite-The Women's Adult Sunday School Class.

Jimmie was educated in the Pine Bluff school system, graduating from Merrill High School in 1958. Her dedication to learning continued throughout her life. In 1968, she completed a bookkeeping course at Capital City Business College, and on February 26, 1971, she earned an Associate Degree in Secretarial Office Practice from Pines Vocational Technical College (now Southeast Arkansas College).

Her professional career was marked by groundbreaking achievements and decades of service. In 1958, she began her working life at Yancy's Furniture Company. In 1962, she made history as the first African American sales clerk employed by Sears Roebuck Company in Pine Bluff. Ten years later, in 1972, she again broke barriers as the first African American hired in a clerical/secretarial position at International Paper Company in Pine Bluff, where she worked for 30 years until her retirement in 2002. In total, her career spanned an impressive 44 years of dedication and professionalism.

Jimmie was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert Andrew Parish and Carl Edward Parish, and two sisters, Betty Parish Smith and Eva Parish Cox.

Her legacy of faith, perseverance, and love will be forever cherished by her children: her son, Henry Preston LaMar III of Los Angeles, CA; and her daughters, Phyllis LaMar Jones of Carrollton, TX, and Theresa Butler Proctor (Al) of St. Cloud, FL. She is also survived by two brothers, Isaac Parish, Jr. of Pine Bluff, AR, and Clifton Charles Parish of Los Angeles, CA; her grandson, Corey DeShaun LaMar of Pine Bluff, AR; two granddaughters, Blake Adrienne Jones of Carrollton, TX, and Kaitlynn Chanell Spicer (Johnathan) of St. Cloud, FL; one great-grandchild, Christian DeShaun LaMar of Farmington, AR; along with a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Her life was a testament to hard work, unwavering faith, and a heart devoted to service. Those who knew her will remember her grace, determination, and the love she poured into her family, church, and community.

Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 23, 2025, at St. Peter's Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, AR. Interment in Forest Lawn Cemetery Pine Bluff, AR by Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff, AR