Iris Parnell

Mrs. Fern Parnell, 99, passed away Sunday, March 23, 2014 at her home in Ruidoso, NM with all her children gathered around her. She was born in Foster, Oklahoma on July 22, 1914 to Mr. Jess Taylor and Dovie Mae Perkins Taylor. Fern has now gone to meet her husband, S. J. Parnell who passed away in 1989. I can already see them waltzing across heaven. She has also been preceded in death by her two brothers, J. D. Taylor and Gerald Taylor along with her parents.

A viewing will be held at Ballard Funeral Home, in Roswell, NM on Wednesday March 26th from 5 to 7 PM. A Memorial will be held on Thursday, March 27th at Grace Community Church with Pastor Rick Hale officiating at 2 PM in Roswell, NM. Mom has requested that she be cremated so burial of her ashes will follow at a later date.

She and S. J. Parnell were married on October 23, 1934. From this union 3 children were born, Wanda, Ronnie and Rita. Wanda Jim Sexe, Ruidoso, NM, Ronnie Parnell, San Angelo, TX, and Rita Frank Rhymes, Ruidoso, NM. She leaves behind Grandchildren: Deborah Greg Rockholdl, Memphis, TN, Terry Sexe, Albuquerque, NM, Jimmy Stacie Sexe, Roswell, NM, Jay Pebbles Irvin, Roswell, NM, Tony Peggy Irvin, Llano, TX, Troy Parnell, Porter, TX and Kathy Stuart Shiller, San Angelo, TX.

Granny is also survived by great grandchildren: Tiffany Rockhold, Franklin, TN, Jennifer Kevin Miller, Clarksville, TN, Jordan Rockhold, Nashville, TN, Stormy Jade Irvin, Llano TX, Casey Jessica Irvin, Llano, TX, Ethan Hohmann, Llano, TX, Dusty Cassandra Hohmann, Llano, TX, Jayla Irvin and Britney Irvin, Roswell, NM, Chassy Van Winkle, Dickinson, ND, Shaylee and Emily Shiller, San Angelo, TX, Cameron Schooley, San Angelo, TX and J. W. Helton, Pampa, TX. She is also survived by 4 greatgreat grandchildren and two new ones due soon.

Fern was a school bus driver for many years in Roswell and then later she moved to Ruidoso with her daughter, Rita, where she helped in a small business. Our Mom was always a very fun loving person with a wonderful personality that loved to play Rummicube, poker or any kind of a game, even going to The Inn Of The Mountain Gods to try her luck with the slot machines. She loved the Dallas Cowboys but above all she loved her family and always put them first in her life. She will be missed so very much by all that knew and loved her.

Mom even had one special daughter, by choice, Wanda A. J. Brown, who has been in our family for 79 years. We would also like to say Thank You to the staff at Mission Arch Rehab that took such great care and understanding of Mom for several months. Especially nurse Kathy Morris and aids Cynthia Garcia, Cassy Willis and Nida in Therapy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ruidoso Humane Society of Ruidoso, NM or a charity of your choice. Donations may be made to the Ruidoso Humane Society, 430 Gavilan Canyon, Ruidoso, NM 88345 or a charity of your choice.

Visitation

Ballard Funeral Home
910 S. Main
Roswell, NM  88203
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
5:00 to 7:00 pm

Service

Memorial Service

Grace Community ChurchH
935 W. Mescalero
Roswell, NM  88201
Thursday, March 27, 2014
2:00 pm

Memorial Contributions

430 Gavilan Canyon
Ruidoso, NM  88345