Mary Lou Parrish

Mary Lou Parrish, 87, of Newtown, MO, passed away at Wright Memorial Hospital in Trenton, MO, on Monday, November 28, 2016. She had been in failing health.

Mary Lou (Stark) Parrish was born in Mercer, MO, on February 26, 1929, the daughter of Olin and Donna (Wells) Stark, who preceded her in death. After graduating from Lucerne High School, she married Chester “Yank” Parrish in Cedar Falls, IA, on July 28, 1947. Yank passed away February 6, 2006.

Yank and Mary Lou farmed in the Lucerne, MO, area until 1955, when they moved to Illinois. Mary Lou worked with the Buddy Lee Toy Manufacturing Company in East Moline for a number of years. She and Yank moved back to the farm in 1967 and Mary Lou lived the life of a farm wife and country girl. She raised chickens and sold the eggs; she loved to fish and coon hunt. She also liked to sew, whether clothes for the family or quilts or crochet.

Mary Lou will be remembered for her feisty approach to life. She was full of energy and spunk and was fun to be around. Her family affectionately called her “King pin” and they loved all the joy she brought to them.

Mary Lou is survived by two sons, Jack Parrish and wife Jackie of Unionville, MO, and Robert Parrish and wife Teresa of Newtown, MO. He nine grandchildren are Frank Parrish, Melanie Parrish, Donna Tovrea, Lucretia Carver, Samantha Miller, Becky Craver. Jack Lee Parrish, Lola Parrish, and Chester Parrish. Mary Lou is also survived by 18 great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mary Lou was also preceded in death by a son, Donald, in 1993. Three sisters also preceded her in death: Bernice Thomas, Helen Claybough, and Bealuh Anderson.

Funeral services for May Lou will be at the Newtown Christian Church in Newtown, MO, at 1:00 pm on Friday, December 2, 2016. Visitation will be Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 1. Interment will be at the Howard Cemetery southeast of Lucerne.

Memorials are suggested to the Howard Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.