Parrish - Mary Ruth Parrish, age 89, of Callahan, Florida passed away November 13, 2023, at the Warner Hospice Center in Fernandina Beach, Florida.  She was born on October 2, 1934, in Alma, Georgia to Edward Simmons and Ida Belle Moore Simmons. Mary moved to Jacksonville, Florida in 1957 and then to Callahan, Florida in 1972. She has been an active member of Callahan First Baptist Church for almost 40 years. Mary began her career in retail at Akra Fashions in the Gateway Shopping Center. She was the manager at Akra until it closed. Mary later worked with May Cohens and Dilliard's, where she retired after 17 years. Her love for people and fashion was the perfect combination for her success! Mary's love for fashion ran a close first to her passion for sports... ALL sports, but especially football and basketball. Mary married at the age of 16.  Her basketball coach sought permission from her mother and the school board to allow her to return to school to play. Thankfully both gave their approval and apparently her husband's approval was not necessary! Mary was preceded in death by her parents, all 10 of her siblings, and her husband of more than 68 years, Paul Parrish.

Mary is survived by her children, Brenda (David) Higginbotham, Paul "Gregory" Parrish, Cindy (Cliff) White; grandchildren, Caleb, Justin (Danae), Randi, Logan, Erika, Patrick, Tyler (Jessie), Cullen (Jaden), Joshua (Dakota), Charli, Brett, DJ; great grandchildren, Audrey, Emily, Cayden, Savannah, Emma Kate, Sophia, and Sadie Lynn; many nephews and nieces.

The tribute above was prepared by Mary's loving family.

A Celebration of Mary's Life will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at Callahan First Baptist Church with Dr. Lynn Hyatt and Tyler LaVasseur officiating. Interment will follow at Jacksonville National Cemetery.  The family will receive friends at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Mary to Callahan First Baptist Church to benefit local missions, The Storehouse and/or Grace's House or to M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The arrangements are under the care and direction of Nassau Funeral Home, 541720 US-1, Callahan, Florida 32011. 904-879-1770. Visit www.nassaufh.com to sign the family's guest book.