Mary Kathryn Parrish

Mary Kathryn Parrish, age 68 of Ozark, Arkansas passed away Sunday September 25, 2022 in Little Rock, Arkansas surrounded by her family. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ozark, proud member of the OHS Class of 1972, member of the Booster Club, the Hillbilly Foundation, proud supporter of her family, staunch defender of her children, and anyone whom she felt didn’t have an advocate in their corner. It was important to her to teach the importance of volunteering, and putting others before yourself. Kathy worked many years as a Medical Technician in numerous hospitals throughout the area, spending the vast majority of those years at Turner Memorial and Johnson County Regional. She loved the sounds of Motown, dancing, sports, kids, debating/arguing, the sounds of the OHS band, waving her pom-poms, ringing her cowbell, cheering along with the cheerleaders, dancing to “The Horse”, Brother Ted’s shotgun signaling an Ozark touchdown, and all the sights and sounds of football on a Friday night at Hillbilly Stadium. Kathy was born August 20, 1954 at Turner Memorial in Ozark to JD and Mildred Parrish. She is preceded in death by her parents. Kathy is survived by one daughter, Sarah Holland of Mulberry, Arkansas; two sons, Bronson Ruston and wife Tessa of Ozark, and Mike Cumming of Little Rock; life companion James Holland; seven grandchildren, Emma Ruston, Ryan, Elly, Nathan, Charlie, and Andrew Hopper, and Hannah Goodwin; her big brother, Gerald Parrish and wife Darlene of Ozark; one niece, April Richard and husband Keith; one nephew, Robert Parrish and wife Kristen; four great nieces, Tori, Kelsey, Hallie, and Macy Jo; three great nephews, Daniel, Benjamin, and Samuel; one great great niece, Elly; one great great nephew, Lane; and she was looking forward to the arrival of her great grandson coming in January, Emmett Hopper. Visitation will be 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday September 28, 2022 at Shaffer Funeral Home 2315 West Commercial Street in Ozark. Funeral Service will be 10:00 A.M. Thursday September 29, 2022 at Shaffer Funeral Home with Pastor Robert Parrish and Brother Brad Elrod officiating, with burial at Oak Ridge Cemetery Lower Jethro Road in Ozark under the direction of Shaffer Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Mike Cumming, Andrew Hopper, Nathan Hopper, Ryan Hopper, Daniel Richard, Keith Richard, Jeremie Burns, and Robbie Woolsey. Honorary pallbearers will be the OHS Class of 1972, her former co-workers in the Lab, and the OHS Football Staff. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Ozark Athletic Booster Club, 3001 Mistie Lane Ozark, Arkansas 72949. To leave an online memorial visit www.shafferfuneralhomeweb.com

Mary Kathryn Parrish

August 20, 1954 - September 25, 2022