Josephine Parrish was born at home in Murfreesboro, Tennessee April 19, 1923. When she was one year old her family moved to a farm in West Tennessee. After graduating from Gaines School and Ripley High School she moved to Memphis in 1940.
She began working after graduating from business school. Josephine joined the civilian workforce at the Southern Division of the Department of the Navy, Naval Facilities Engineering Command at the Millington Naval Base in 1947 and worked there until 1974.
She moved into her current house in 1947 and has lived there for 76 years. She faithfully cared for her mother who lived with her until her passing. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education from Mid-South Bible College in Memphis.
Josephine is a long-time member of National Avenue Baptist Church and its successor New Church Memphis. At National Avenue, she served as church clerk, Young Women’s Association director, youth director, choir member, Church Training and Sunday School teacher. She taught every grade from 3rd through college, as well as senior adults and served on multiple committees.
She is the proud aunt of 12 nieces and nephews and numerous great nieces and nephews, and great, great nieces and nephews.
She is the longest living member of the Parrish and Hopper families in history.
Family and friends will gather on Thursday, May 11th from five o'clock until seven o'clock in the evening at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119. Funeral services at the funeral home will follow on Friday morning beginning at ten o'clock. Burial will follow in Asbury Methodist Church Cemetery in Ripley, Tennessee around 12:30 p.m.
Monetary gifts in JoJo's memory should be sent to New Church Memphis, 4917 Macon Road, Memphis, TN 38122.
Online condolences, floral gifts and directions may be found by visiting www.memphisfuneralpoplar.net.
