Bobby Nowell Parish

Rev. Bobby Nowell Parish, 87, of Weir, MS, a dedicated servant of the Lord, passed away on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at his home surrounded by family. He served the Lord faithfully as a Minister of the Gospel for 54 years, and lived a life dedicated to the Lord and to his family.

Bro. Bobby was born in McCool, MS on December 11, 1937. He was the son of Dewey and Mary Jane Nowell Parish. After graduating from Weir High School, he joined and served in the U.S. Air Force in the U.S and Japan, from 1957-1961. After leaving the service, he worked for several years in Texas before being led by the Lord to enter the ministry. Bro. Bobby surrendered his life to become a Southern Baptist Minister in 1969. He served multiple churches across Louisiana and Mississippi from 1969-2023. While serving his first church, Singer Baptist Church, Singer, LA, he completed his bachelor’sdegree from Louisiana College. Other churches pastored include Ball Baptist Church, Ball, LA; Center Grove Baptist Church, Maben, MS; Benton Baptist Church, Benton, MS; Liberty Baptist Church, Noxapater, MS; New Haven Baptist Church, Weir, MS; Mashulaville Baptist Church, Macon, MS; McCool Baptist Church, McCool, MS; and Hopewell Baptist Church, Weir, MS. He fully retired from the ministry two years ago at the age of 85.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 68 years, Annie “Jo” King Parish of Weir, MS; his sons, Ken (Robin) Parish of Black Mountain, NC and Don (Sonja) Parish of Mathiston, MS; his daughter, Betty (Keith) Yeatman of Maben, MS; his five grandchildren Chance (Tabitha) Parish of Eupora, MS, Zak Parish of Hickory, NC, Cory (Christina) Parish of Eupora, MS, Hannah (Mark) Parish-Dunsworth of St. Paul, MN, and Sarah Grace (David) Broom of Maben, MS; and his eightgreat-grandchildren, Jedidiah, Savannah Grace, Annie Kate, Addie, Cooper, Ellie, Chancey, and Elsie; and a host of nieces and nephews and extended family.

He was preceded in death by his dearly loved and deeply missed parents, and four brothers and six sisters. He was the last surviving of eleven children.

Bro. Bobby loved his family and loved spending time with them, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His many joys also included woodworking. As a result, inside the family home you can find many pieces of hand-made wooden furniture: tables, cabinets, bookshelves, beds, and many other projects. He enjoyed working in his shop, gardening, reading, fishing, hunting (in younger years), and visiting friends and members of his church congregation. More than anything else, he loved the simple things of life and loved the Lord!

Those to serve as pallbearers are Cory Parish, Zak Parish, Keith Yeatman, David Broom, Bert Parish, Robert Myers III, and David Ingram.

The funeral service will be held Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Bear Creek Baptist Church, McCool, MS. It will be officiated by his grandson, Chance Parish.

Visitation will be held Tuesday night, September 2, 2025, at Coleman Funeral Home, Ackerman, MS from 6:00-8:00 pm., and Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 10:00-11:00 a.m. prior to the service.

The family asks that memorial donations be made to Bear Creek Baptist Church cemetery fund.