Obituary of Rev. Robert Millard Parris

Funeral services for Rev. Robert Millard “Bob” Parris, age 99, of Wedowee will be held on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at 2:00 PM from Wedowee First United Methodist Church with Rev. Russell Hestley, Rev. Mark Parris and Rev. Elvis North officiating. Burial will follow at Midway United Methodist Church with a Masonic graveside service. Benefield Funeral Home of Wedowee is in charge of arrangements. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2015. Rev. Parris will lie in state at the church for one hour prior to services beginning on Wednesday. Rev. Parris passed away Sunday, March 22, 2015, at his residence. Survivors include his wife, Bettie Meinecke Parris of Wedowee; one son, Timothy Parris of Iowa City, IA; five grandchildren, Joseph Semler, Julie Semler Stirm, Ameliea Parris, Abigail Parris, and Austen Parris; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Sarah Burdette of Sheffield; one brother, Alton Parris of Sheffield, AL; and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be James Parris, John Parris, Joel Parris, Lew Burdette, Bill Burdette, Austen Parris, Eric Stirm, Joshua Stirm, Dylan, Dicky Israel, Arnold Rollins, and Alan Barrett. A Randolph County native, Rev. Parris was born on June 16, 1915, the son of Elijah Lee Parris, Sr., and Eunice Grant Parris. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Wedowee and the Iowa United Methodist Conference. Rev. Parris was very active in SIFAT, Brasher Springs Holiness Camp in Gadsden, and was an active choir member. He was active with Sawyer Lodge #93 where he served as chaplain for many years. Rev. Parris was an avid gardener and an enthusiastic bird watcher. He was preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Susan Schweiker, Barbara Semler; and two brothers, Grant Parris and E.L. Parris, Jr. The family is accepting flowers or, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First United Methodist Church or one’s favorite mission.