Mary G. Parish

Mary Granada Parish, age 91 of Cleveland, Texas, passed away Wednesday, April 4, 2018. She was born to Odie and Kitty Miller on October 29th, 1926 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The youngest of five children and only girl she soon became known affectionately as "Booger Red" by her four older brothers. Her family relocated to Houston when Mary was a child where she completed high school and trained as an X-ray/Lab Technician at Methodist Hospital. Mary and Bruce Parish were introduced by a family friend and continued their courtship by mail while he was in the Navy. They were married in Cleveland in 1948 and called Cleveland and Calvary Baptist Church their home for the remainder of their lives. Mary worked for many of the local doctors over the years while raising four children.

As the gentle spirit she was, Mom was concerned for every person and creature she encountered. As her children raised their children, her home was a gathering place for family and a place of special memories for grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. There was always room for one more for chicken and dumplings or to slip off and fish in the family pond. She had a special gift for creating a loving and welcoming invitation to anyone who entered her home and her heart.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Bruce Parish; son, Mike Parish; parents, Odie and Kitty Miller; and brothers, Roy Miller, Forest Miller, Preston Miller and Vernon Miller.

Survivors include her daughters, Debra Parish and husband Darrel Ray, Karen Ward and husband Gene; son, Tracy Parish and wife Janice; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many life-long friends.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 8, 2018 at Calvary Baptist Church 816 N Blair St. Cleveland, Texas. The interment followed at Pace-Stancil Memorial Rest Gardens, Cleveland, Texas.