John D Parish, Jr.

John D. Parish, Jr., of Sheridan, Arkansas was born August 1, 1939 in Greenwood, Mississippi, the son of the late John D. Parish, Sr. And Emma Dennis Moore Parish. John was a graduate of Mississippi State University and a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. A lifelong Presbyterian, John was serving as an Elder at the Central Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff John passed away Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at home at the age of 72. Although he was retired from the Arkansas Department of Correction, he was more publicly known as "The World Famous Mississippi Scoundrel." He made hundreds of TV and radio ads during the 80's and 90's. In 2010 he retired as the announcer at I-30 Speedway after 32 years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Margaret Henderson Parish and a step grandson, Christopher Arline. Survivors: Son, Parker Parish and wife Vandra of Sheridan; daughters, Jerilyn Parish of Monticello; step-daughter, Debra Jo Abernathy and her husband Tom of Grenada, Mississippi; granddaughter, Erika Parish of Sheridan; step-grandson, Trae Arline of Greenwood, Mississippi; and a special friend, Mary Beth Vickers of Naples, Texas. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, December 29, 2011 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home with Rev. Dan Festa officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. at Oddfellows Cemetery in Greenwood, Mississippi. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6 until 8 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff or a charity of donors choice or Sheridan Animal Control Adoption Center, 304 Gatzke Drive, Sheridan, Ark. 72150. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. To sign the online guestbook, www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.