L.D. Parish

L.D. Parish, 80, of Bee Branch, Arkansas passed away Saturday, July 19, 2014. He was born June 13, 1934 in Morganton, Arkansas to Arnold and Ruby (Johnson) Parish. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his beloved wife, Paula (French) Parish. He is survived by his children, Rhonda Parish of Boulder, Colorado; Charlotte (Parish) Ward (Ricky Ward) of Bee Branch, Arkansas; Louis Parish (Loretta Edwards Parish) of Bee Branch, Arkansas; Jan (Parish) Dawson (Mark Dawson) of Skiatook, Oklahoma; and Melissa Parish of Bee Branch, Arkansas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, Rachel (Parish) Thomas, Heather (Parish) Pfrenger, Cade Ward, Stacy Dawson, Katie (Parish) Gross, Clint Dawson, and Kara Parish and four great grandchildren. Mr. Parish's career began and ended as a school teacher. He taught at Morganton, Arkansas, Mountainburg, Arkansas, and South Side, of Bee Branch, Arkansas. He left teaching for a period of time from 1963 to 1975 to pursue a career with Social Services. At the time he left social services to return to his first love of teaching, he was serving as Director of Social Services for Van Buren County and Stone County, Arkansas. He returned to South Side Bee Branch, where he taught 5th grade, drove a school bus and was the score keeper at the South Side basketball games. He and his wife, Paula, retired in 1996 to enjoy traveling together and spending time with their grandchildren. Mr. Parish a Bachelor of Science in Education Degree from the University of Central Arkansas ( formerly Arkansas State Teachers College) in Conway, Arkansas. He was instrumental in the formation and the early development of the summer baseball program in Bee Branch, where he also served as a coach for many years. Mr. Parish also served on the Bee Branch Water Board, the Council for Aging and the Hardin Cemetery Board. In 2004, he was selected as the South Side Distinguished Alumni. He was a member of the Colony Church of Christ. Pallbearers: Carroll Bradford, Smitty Bonds, Joe Lee, Darrell Moore, L.B. Pavatt, H.C. Wallace, Charles Wood and Ed Wood. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Hardin Cemetery Fund, 3624 Highway 92 East, Bee Branch, Arkansas 72013 or Diabetes Association, 320 Executive Court Suite #104, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205. Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, 2014 and funeral service will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2014 at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home Clinton, Arkansas with Carl Thomason officiating. Burial will follow in Hardin Cemetery Bee Branch, Arkansas. Funeral Arrangements are under the care and direction of Roller-McNutt Funeral Home of Clinton, Arkansas. Online guest book: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com.