Parthenia Parish

Leonia Parthenia Parish, 91, of Neelyville, MO, passed away on Friday, February 9, 2018 at Cedargate Nursing Home in Poplar Bluff.

She was born on January 4, 1927, to Oscar and Lillie (Robertson) Vangilder in rural Northeastern Arkansas. On September 30, 1944, she married Roy Lee Parish in Piggott, AR. He preceded her in death on January 4, 2017.

Parthenia was a devoted wife to Roy for over 72 years. She was no stranger to hard work and supported Roy as he held multiple jobs through the years. Together, they pursued a variety of business interests including farming, commercial hay baling and combining, owning laundromats in Neelyville and Naylor, a grocery store and gas station in Neelyville, and a trucking business. In addition, she and Roy had large gardens, she was an avid canner, and a wonderful homemaker. As a young woman, Parthenia worked briefly at Woolworth's in St. Louis. She also was an Avon Representative and in her later years she was employed by the U.S. Forestry Service. She was a member of the Neelyville United Methodist Church. Parthenia was a loving mother, a wonderful grandmother, and a caring foster parent to several. She enjoyed fishing with Roy, quilting, knitting, and spending time with her family.

Parthenia is survived by five children, Donna (Ernie) Phelan of Poplar Bluff, MO, Sharon (Preston) Gill of Naylor, MO, Carol (Gary) Dunlap of Salem, MO, Jerry (Rita) Parish of Corning, AR, and Gary (Debra) Parish of Neelyville, MO; one sister, Reba Easton of Paragould, AR; 14 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren, and 8 great-great-grandchildren.

Parthenia was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; and two brothers, Clinton and Ronnie Gene Vangilder.

Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at Moore Funeral Service in Poplar Bluff.

Funeral Services will follow at 11 a.m. in the Moore Funeral Service Chapel with Pastor Jim Shremp officiating. Burial will be at the Naylor Cemetery in Naylor, MO.