Jean Cordill Parrish

Obituary for Jean Cordill Parrish

Jean Cordill Parrish, 95, of Ballinger, died late Friday evening, March 14, 2008 in a San Angelo hospital.

She was born in Ballinger on January 12, 1913, the daughter of Asa and Beatrice Cordill. She graduated from high school, and was a lifelong resident of Ballinger with the exception of several years during WW II, when the Parrish family traveled extensively in the south and midwest.

In 1929 Jean married another Ballinger native, James Parrish. James was an officer in Company “C” of the 36th. Infantry Division when that unit was mobilized in 1941. For the next three years, the Parrish family, comprised of the parents and two elementary age children, made a series of moves to Brownwood (Camp Bowie); Green Cove Springs, FL (Camp Blanding); Columbia, SC (Fort Jackson): Winchester, TN (Camp Forest); and Flat Rock, IN (Camp Atterbury). Interspersed in these years were four different tours of duty at Fort Benning, GA where then 1st. Lt. Parrish attended the Army’s Infantry School. In 1944, when James left for overseas duty in the South Pacific, Jean drove their much-traveled 1941 Plymouth (equipped with badly worn synthetic tires) along with the two children and “most of their worldly goods” from Indiana to Texas, stopping only for gas and food, at the wartime speed limit of 45mph. She and the children lived with her parents at 401 9th St. in Ballinger until the end of the war, when Major Parrish returned from the Philippines, where he had participated in the invasions of Leyte and Luzon Islands.

Jean worked for the City of Ballinger’s water department for 20 years. Her husband suffered a debilitating stroke in 1982, and Jean was his sole caretaker in their home in the Hillcrest addition until his death in 1988.

The family remembers Jean Parrish for her indomitable spirit and courage, strong Christian lifestyle, and most of all, her unfailing love and loyalty. She was a bonafide member of the greatest generation.

She is survived by a daughter, Betty Low of Mertzon, and a son, Jim Parrish and his wife, Deanie of Indian Wells, CA. Her grandchildren are Bobby Low and wife, Lisa of Lubbock; Sheri Parrish of Santa Cruz, CA; David Low of Lake Charles, LA; Doug Parrish Of Lawrenceville, GA; and Laura Cunningham and husband, Pat of Odessa. Great grandchildren are Jake Low of Lubbock; Nick, Max and Hunter Cunningham of Odessa; Danielle Low of Mertzon; Sidney Low of Houston; Ashley Parrish of Alta Loma, CA; and Allison Parrish of Lawrenceville, GA.

There will be a time of visitation for family and friends from 7:00 to 8:00 PM Monday March 17, 2008 at Lange Funeral Home. Services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday March 18th at Lange Funeral Home with Rev. Kary Rawlings officiating. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Guests may register at ballingerfuneralhome.com.

Memorial may be made to the Meals on Wheels c/o Senior Center, the Building Fund of the First Presbyterian Church or a favorite charity.