Melvin (Sonny) Parrish age 79 of Dardanelle went to be with the Lord Wednesday, August 24 at St. Marys Hospital after a long battle with cancer, He was born on December 4, 1931in Brownfield, TX to the late Solomon and Annie Baugh Parrish. He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandson Seth Parrish, sister Nora Oden and brother Otto Parrish and several nieces and nephews. He was a Christian and of the Baptist faith. He was an Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and a life-time member of the Boyce Wood VFW. He was a Mason and a Shriner. He retired from the Rock Island and Missouri Pacific Railroads after23 years of service. Following his railroad retirement, he was a yard foreman for Arkansas Kraft. He later became a real estate broker and owned and operated Parrish Real Estate in Danville until a stroke left him unable to work. He leaves behind his loving wife of 59 years Betty Tate Parrish. His son Mike Parrish and wife Delba of Flippin and daughter Debbie Murphy and husband Bob of Dardanelle. His grandchildren Bobby Murphy of Fayetteville, Bekah Murphy Cox and husband Justin of Fayetteville and Ashley Parrish of Smackover. Sisters Ruth West and husband Jim of North Little Rock and Jean Stafford and husband Archie of Fort Smith and several nieces and Nephews. Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 26, 2011 at Danvilles Cornwell Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Earl Stapleton and Rev. Mickey Shields officiating. Burial will be at Rest Haven in Russellville. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Cornwell Funeral Home in Danville. The family would like to thank Dr. Kevin Beavers, Dr. Thomas Sneed and \Arkansas Hospice of Russellville for their care and support during this time. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Arkansas Hospice 2405 East Parkway, Suite #3, Russellville AR 72802

Arrangements by Cornwell Funeral Home Danville, AR. Online guestbook and condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com