Otha Mae Parrish

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Otha Mae Meeks Parrish, a truly remarkable lady who touched the lives of many through her unwavering love and selfless dedication to others. On January 3, 2024, she peacefully departed this world to join her eternal resting place with Jesus.

Born at her Morris grandparents’ home on June 4, 1934, to Jessie Edgar Meeks and Mary Lou Morris Meeks during the challenging times of the Great Depression. She grew up in a world that demanded resilience and hard work. Despite the hardships, she embraced her circumstances with determination and became known for her strong work ethic. From picking cotton in the fields to tending to various tasks on the farm, she exemplified the spirit of a diligent handworker.

Her pursuit of education was a testament to her unwavering determination, which started in 1940 in a one room school at Poplar Springs. She attended First through Eighth grades there. Making the transition from a one-room schoolhouse to Burnsville High School, was, in her words, “a whole new world.” With that intimidation, she decided to quit school and her Daddy put her to work in a sawmill. When the bus came by in the Fall, going back to Burnsville School looked a whole lot better.  She became the first member of her family to graduate high school in 1953 with a host of lifelong friends, she defied the odds and set an inspiring example for future generations. Her thirst for knowledge and personal growth would continue to shape her life's journey.

In due course, she embarked on a new chapter as she married Horace Edward Parrish from Counce, TN and became a loving mother to two children, Sandra and Michael. The joy of motherhood brought immeasurable happiness to her life, and she cherished every moment spent nurturing and guiding her children.

As time went on, she welcomed the arrival of three grandchildren, Amy, Lisa, and Jessica, and six great-grandchildren, Kayleigh, Mason, Brady, Ella, Luis, and Jojo, who became the light of her life. Her love for family knew no bounds, and she relished in creating lasting memories with each generation. She was a person who stood up for others who could not stand up for themselves. She never wavered from what she believed in. She instilled those values in her children and grandchildren.

Her work life included twelve years at Genesco Shoe Company, ITT, Piggly Wiggly, TVA, The Nuclear Plant, and a short lived career as a cosmetologist, even worked at Lowensteins Department Store as a young woman in downtown Memphis.

Later in her working years, along with her husband, she is best known for her success as the owner of Otha’s Quick Stop. Running a thriving business, she not only achieved professional accomplishments but also formed countless friendships along the way from people near and far. Her warm hospitality was renowned, and she never failed to provide a delicious meal and friendly words for friends and family, ensuring that no one left her presence without feeling nourished and loved.

MawMae, as she was affectionately known by many in her later years, leaves behind a legacy of unwavering love, resilience, and dedication to serving others, and that will forever be etched in our hearts. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Otha was preceded in death by her husband Horace Parrish, her son Michael Parrish, and granddaughter Lisa McQuitty, her parents, Jessie and Mary Lou Morris Meeks, her sisters, LeOpal McMeans (Estes), Janie Bullard (Bobby), an infant brother, Talmadge Meeks, her in-laws, Chester and Vostie Parrish, and brothers-in-law, Jake Parrish and Pete Parrish, and her nephew, Thomas McMeans (Kathy).

Otha is survived by her daughter Sandra Harstad (Greg), her granddaughters Jessica Parrish Seaton (Chris), Amy McQuitty (Crystal), daughter-in-law, Cindy Parrish, nephews Greg Parrish, Allen Parrish (Pam), Darrell Bullard, James Estes McMeans (Jean), her nieces Dedra Parrish Flynn (David), Carolyn White (Roger), and Linda Hinton (Claude). Six great-grandchildren, Kayleigh McNamee, Mason Seaton, Brady Seaton, Ella Carrasco, Luis McQuitty, and Jojo McQuitty. Special friends and caregivers, Rita Broadway, Shelia South Phifer, and Amanda Bowling-Shinar.

Pallbearers will be James McMeans, Jason McMeans, Darrell Bullard, Greg Parrish, Allen Parrish, Scotty Edge, John R. White, Jerry Konczal, Carl Gooch, Eric Parrish, Pete Parrish, and Ches Parrish.

Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka, MS is entrusted with the arrangements. Services are scheduled for Saturday, January 6th, 2-4pm for visitation. Funeral Services will be on Sunday, January 7that 2pm. All services will be at Poplar Springs FWB Church in Iuka, MS. Burial will be at Fairview Church. Any donations you would like to make in honor of Otha Mae, she would ask you to make those to the Fairview Cemetery Fund.