Virgie Parrish

IN MEMORY OF: VIRGIE PARRISH Serving Location: CRAIN PLEASANT GROVE-MURDALE FUNERAL HOME 31 Memorial Drive (Old Route 13), Murphysboro, Illinois Born in Newbern, Tennessee on Tater Hill Road, Virgie was the seventh of eight children. At the time of her passing, she was 86 years old. Both of her children, all five of her grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter, were beside her as she peacefully departed this earth for her Heavenly home. Her parents, Gaines and Dollie Mae Johnston, preceded her in death, as well as her husband, Homer Quentin Parrish. Additionally, all seven siblings (Loyal Gray, Brite Johnston, Toy Norwood, Sweetie Richardson, Tincie Ferguson, Taylor Johnston, and Angel Cole) also passed before her. She is survived by both her daughter, Lynanne V. Parrish (Carbondale, IL) and her son, Jeffrey Q. Parrish (St. Louis, MO)., as well as five grandchildren (Tiffany L. Kesler (Waterloo, IL), Brooke A. Lott (Orlando, FL), Paxton Q. Parrish, Preston J. Parrish and Presley R. Parrish (St. Louis, MO), and great-grandchildren, Scarlett Lyn Kesler-Green, Myla N. Lott and Caiden J. Lott. A beloved and retired Music and Art teacher, Mrs. Parrish retired in 1998 from De Soto Grade School, where she taught for 39 years. Prior to that position, she taught at Cave-In-Rock, Lick Creek and Johnston City (all in Illinois). Upon retirement, Virgie continued to teach the gifted classes at De Soto Grade School, as well as give hundreds of children piano, vocal and instrumental lessons over the years. A highly accomplished individual, after graduating as Valedictorian of her high school class, she put herself through Bethel College in Tennessee. While working full-time, she earned dual B.S. degrees in both Music Education and Business Education, and she earned the title of Valedictorian of her graduating class. Her knowledge and her talents expanded well beyond her formal education, as she believed one should continue to educate themselves throughout their lifetime. She began painting lessons, and that became one of her favorite hobbies. Virgie also had an extensive knowledge of politics, history, and world geography. She and her husband would revel in conversations on a nightly basis. As a devout Christian, Virgie was an active member of Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church, until its closure. She then became an active member of Grace Methodist Church in Carbondale. Her presence will be forever felt there; every life she touched has been blessed beyond measure. She was truly an angel on earth, who is now singing with the angels in Heaven. Funeral Services for Virgie Parrish will be Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 10:00 am in Grace United Methodist Church in Carbondale with Pastor Marty McMichael. Interment will follow in Pleasant Grove Memorial Park. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 5, 2023 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm in Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, expressions of love may be directed to Grace United Methodist Church and will be accepted at the services.

Virgie Parrish

October 3, 1937 - December 2, 2023