Funeral services for Johnnie Parkerson, 90, of Greenville will at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 7 at Glen Allan United Methodist Church in Glen Allan, Mississippi. Mr. Parkerson died after a lengthy illness on Sunday, October 4 at Delta Regional Medical Center. Burial will be in Greenfield Cemetery under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Greenville.
Born June 10, 1925 in Lake Village, Arkansas to Stephen Cannon and Ethel Tanksley Parkerson, Mr. Parkerson grew up in the Indianola area before moving to Greenville, Mississippi at a young age.
Entering the US Navy in September of 1943, Mr. Parkerson served aboard the USS Hornet earning the American Theater Service Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon, Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon. Mr. Parkerson was honorably discharged in April, 1946.
Returning to Greenville, Mississippi upon his discharge, he met the love of his life, Margaret Elizabeth Smith in early 1947. They were married on March 13, 1947 and celebrated 67 years of marriage prior to her death on October 7, 2014.
Mr. Parkerson worked at various local milk companies, such as Blocker Dairy, Walker Farms and Borden’s throughout his adulthood, but retired from Borden’s as an Independent Distributor. He was an avid salesman and loved to interact with people. After his retirement, he continued to interact with the public. He loved to work in his yard and continued mowing his yard until the age of 89 years. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville.
In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his beloved first-born, Bobby Ray Parkerson, son-in-law, Dennis Key, brothers Otto Parkerson and Roscoe Parkerson. He is survived by children Tommy Parkerson (Anita) of Texarkana, TX, Betty Jo (BJ) Nichols (Roy) of Glen Allan, MS, Teresa Key of Greenville, MS and Joey Parkerson (Apryl) of Larkspur, CO.; sister, Patricia Price of Olive Branch, MS. His treasures include those who called him PawPaw, grandchildren Bobby, Chrissy, Dallas, Skipper, Jeff, Danny, Michael, Mandy, Jason, Erica, Elizabeth, Elaine, Sean, Tyler, Tara, J.T., Tori, Abby, Rachael and Zach. He also leaves 36 great grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.
Mr. Parkerson’s children would like to extend a special thanks to the DRMC Hospice Unit, as well as private sitters Mary Molette, Brittany Cooner, Sue Montgomery and Taylor Bussey for their devotion in caring for his needs during the past year.
Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. Rev. Tony McDonald and Rev. Roy Tidwell will officiate.
Pallbearers will be Mr. Parkerson’s grandsons. Donations may be made to Arkansas Children’s Hospital Foundation, PO Box 2222, Little Rock, AR 72203-9984 or online at giving.archildrens.org, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.