Martha Jo Parish

Martha Jo Parish of San Angelo passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 30, 2023. She was surrounded by her children at her home as she passed on to meet her Lord and Savior.

Born in Ballinger, Texas, on November 16, 1924, Martha was the daughter of Wesley and Allie Conner Reese. Growing up in Ballinger, she was the third of four children.  She graduated from Ballinger High School where she dated and subsequently married the love of her life, O.L Parish, Jr.  As part of the Greatest Generation, she and O.L. were seniors when Pearl Harbor was bombed, and they married in October of 1942 after his enlistment in the U.S. Army.  She attended business school in San Antonio after graduation.  She and O.L. lived in Austin while he attended the University of Texas prior to his deployment overseas. Their relationship was a true love story, and their love and care for each other was visible throughout their loving marriage of seventy years.

Martha and O.L. moved back to Austin after World War II and later returned to Ballinger where she was a devoted wife and mother to two children, Pamela and Linn.  She dedicated her life to her family, ensuring the care of her husband and children. She had varied interests throughout her life but especially enjoyed china painting with close friends, playing bridge, and spending time with family.

To many friends, she was known as Jo, and to her family, she was affectionately called Nana, as a grandmother. Martha loved to spend time with not only her grandchildren but later her great-grandchildren.  Recently, she earned the title of great-great-grandmother which brought her abundant joy. She was quick to spoil them, whether grand or great, with her love and kind-heartedness, and she was known to do anything they asked.

She and O.L. attended the First United Methodist Church of Ballinger where she worshiped and taught children's Sunday School and supported her children in their activities as they grew up. She also enjoyed cheering for the Texas Longhorns with her husband O.L.

She was preceded in death by her husband O.L. Parish, Jr, her parents, and her sisters Mary Ruth Gregg and Sydney Jane Scales.

She is survived by her son, O.L. "Linn" Parish III and wife Terry of Lubbock; daughter, Pam Underwood and husband Wendel of San Angelo; brother Jack Reese and wife Lois of Katy; sister-in-law, Charlene Christian of Dallas; and four grandchildren, O.L. "Bud" Parish IV and wife Deidre of Sweetwater, Tom Underwood of Ballinger, Tim Underwood and wife Traci of Cypress, and Wes Underwood and wife Dian of Commerce. Nana especially delighted in her eight great-grandchildren: Catherine Parish of Darrouzett, Isabella Parish Stone and husband Aaron of Annapolis, Maryland; Emma Underwood of San Angelo; Will Underwood of Ballinger, Gus Underwood, wife Mikayla and baby Owen of San Angelo; Joleigh Underwood of Cypress, and Allie and Sam Underwood of Commerce. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 2 p.m., at Evergreen Cemetery in Ballinger.

Pallbearers include Bud Parish, Tom Underwood, Tim Underwood, Wes Underwood, Gus Underwood, Will Underwood, and Sam Underwood.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to good friends Rudy and Teresa Perez for their love and support, and to all caregivers, including Gentiva Hospice of San Angelo.