Rita Jean Parrish

Rita Jean Parrish of Rolla, Mo formerly of St. James, MO passed away Thursday, May 20, 2021, at Phelps Health in Rolla, MO. She was 62 years of age.

She was born April 3, 1959, in Rolla, MO, the daughter of the late Everett Eugene “Gene” and Shirley Mae Craig Parrish.

Rita is survived by her sister Brenda Meziere and her husband David of Lee, Florida., along with one niece, Cynthia Dawn Earle of Madison, Florida., one Great Nephew Jonathan Earle and Great-Great Nephew Eden Earle both of Madison, Florida. Aunts: Beverly Stuckmeyer of St. Louis, MO., Dorothy Benson of St. James, MO, and Helen Harris of St. James, MO., along with many cousins and other relatives, including her dear friends and neighbors Chris and Eugene Skyles along with Charles and Heather Hagan.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Rita and her parents worshiped at the First Assembly Church of God in St. James. The Lord was important to Rita, even after her father passed away and she and her mother moved to Rolla, they drove to St. James to worship where she had many friends.  She and her Aunt Dorothy traveled many miles to attend other churches to hear gospel music. Rita enjoyed being at home and loved to read. She had a great library of Grace Livingstone Hill Books and had read every one of them. She worked for Wal-Mart for 24 years at night stocking shelves. Rita was an avid St. Louis Cardinal Fan. She bought a special package for her cable T.V. so she could watch the Cardinals. If the Cardinals were playing, she would ignore phone calls so she would not miss a minute of the game. Reta would call her sister and let her know of an injured Cardinal Player wanting her sister Brenda to pray for the player, so he could get back in the game. On special holidays, Brenda would always get Rita special Cardinal memorabilia. After her health failed and she could not get out of the house, she had the greatest neighbors to help her with errands and check on her. She will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Rita Parrish will lie in state Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. May 25th, 2021 at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

Funeral Service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO, with Pastor Mick Thrasher officiating. Rita’s favorite song will be played for her funeral. Pallbearers will be Bruce Benson, Laverne Parrish, Ron Copeland, Mike Maddalon, Bruce Carter, and Dave Guyton. Burial will be in the family plot at the Broadway Memorial Cemetery near St. James, MO. Memorials may be given to Gideons International or Broadway Memorial Cemetery. Condolences may be entered at www.jonesfunerals.com

All arrangements are under the directions of the Jones Funeral Home in St. James, MO.

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