Beverly Jo Parish

Beverly Jo Humphreys was born in Memphis, Tennessee to Hugh and Burney Humphreys on November 27, 1937. While attending Young Life camp she told God she would like to serve him by becoming a minister’s wife. Not long after, she met and married the love of her life, Reverend Thomas Oscar Parish, Jr. on July 20, 1956. They were blessed with three children and four grandchildren during their 60 years of marriage.

Tom and Bev served many Disciples of Christ churches throughout the Midwest. They loved opening their homes to church groups, PEO, and Rose societies. Bev led children’s programs and youth groups. She shared her artistic giftings by designing stained-glass windows for church sanctuaries, creating chalk drawings as Tom sang and shared Scriptures in worship, and making beautiful arrangements with roses from her garden. She found joy in competing in Rose Shows and giving roses to friends, neighbors and family. She and Tom liked traveling, especially to Rocky Mountain National Park.

Bev’s greatest joy was that of being a mother and grandmother! She and Tom instilled a love of family, provided the path to faith, and blessed their children and grandchildren with numerous special traditions and memories. They modeled that the most meaningful present is presence and encouraged their children and grandchildren to pursue their dreams.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law: Tom and Tammy Parish (Nixa, MO) and granddaughter, Amelia Jo Parish (New York, NY); a son and daughter-in-law: Andy and Rebekah Parish and grandsons Adam, Garrett, and Ben (Leawood, KS); and a daughter, Bette Jayne Parish (Overland Park, KS); sisters-in-law, Sandra Remmert (Champaign, IL), and Nancy Parish (Wichita, KS); a cousin, Bill Geiger (Memphis, TN) and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Advent was Beverly and Tom’s favorite season of the year, so it is fitting that she went Home and is reunited with him and other loved ones now. While we will miss her terribly, we rejoice and find comfort in knowing she is at peace and free from suffering.