Emory S. Parrish, 85, formerly of Big Spring, died on Saturday, December 6, 2003, in a Watauga nursing home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, December 9, 2003 at the Birdwell Lane Baptist Church Big Spring with Rev. Kevin Kennedy, pastor of Trinity Baptist Church in Abilene, and Rev. Steve King pastor of Birdwell Lane Baptist Church in Big Spring, officiating. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park Big Spring.He was born on November 16, 1918, in Carroll County, Georgia and married Reba Lee Cole on September 9, 1939 in Carroll County, Georgia. She preceded him in death on June 3, 1998.Emory and his family moved to Big Spring in 1947. He worked for the U. S. Postal service for 24 years, retiring in 1972. He was a past member of the Civitans in Big Spring and enjoyed playing golf. After retirement, as a licensed minister, he served as a supply pastor in several churches. He was a member of Birdwell Lane Baptist Church until 1998 when he moved to Abilene and joined Trinity Baptist Church there.He served in the United States Navy on the USS Suamico during World War II. He received a total of eight bronze stars on a ribbon for participating in the Gilbert Islands, the Marshall Islands, Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Leyte Operation and the Luzon Operation. He also received a Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the American Service Ribbon and the Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon.Survivors include one son & daughter-in-law, Tyrone and Shirley Parrish of Florence, Alabama; one daughter, Annette Woodruff of Fort Worth; 6 grandchildren, Laura Pyle, Ginger Griffith, Richard Parrish, Dennis Gray, Wendi Parrish and Keri Bedsole; and 12 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers and two sisters.The family will receive friends from 6 PM to 8 PM Monday at the funeral home.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 120 Wall Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10005, the American Cancer Society, % Lucy Bonner, P. O. Box 2121, Big Spring, Texas 79721-2121 or the American Heart Association, 3205 W. Cuthbert, Ste A-8, Midland, Texas 79701.Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
