Joyce Mae Parish

On November 3, 2025 in Dallas, TX, our beloved mother, Joyce Mae Parish, 91, went home to be with Jesus after a short battle with cancer. Joyce was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter and sister. Our mom was one of the kindest, strongest and most courageous women to ever walk this earth, and everyone who met her loved her. Our family was blessed beyond measure to have her as our mother. Joyce was born in Ponca City, OK on January 23rd, 1934 to James Knox Miller and Verna May Shupe Miller. She, along with her brother Vernon and sister Arlene, were raised in Sulphur, OK where she went on to graduate from Sulphur High School before marrying Clifford J. Parish on May 28th,1952, at the Calvary Baptist Church. From there, they moved to Tishomingo, OK to start and raise their family. Joyce joined First Baptist Church of Tishomingo at age 22. She loved First Baptist Church where she played the organ and piano, taught bible school and children’s ministries, and sang in the choir. As her children grew older, Joyce began work at the Murray State College bookstore, retiring after 27 years. She also worked at Lafitte Pharmacy, the Treasurer’s Office during tax season, and occasionally at Hurst Carpets. Among Joyce’s favorite things to do was getting together with her friends that she loved and playing bridge. Joyce was a fiercely dedicated mom to all three of her children. She was the glue that held her family together and quickly became the neighborhood mom to many. She was a force of nature, a source of endless laughter, and the heart of our family. We will remember her for her unconditional love, strength of spirit, and unending generosity. Joyce was pre-deceased by her husband, Clifford, her mother and father, and her siblings. She is survived by her three children; son Mike Parish (Carol), of Montgomery, TX, daughter Patti Smith, of Dallas, TX, daughter Kelli Wong (Jon), of Las Vegas, NV. Joyce will best be remembered for her warmth, dedication and loyalty to those that knew her, and her faith and love of Jesus Christ. She brought laughter and joy to the world for so many, and the hole left by her absence will be impossible to fill. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at the First Baptist Church in Tishomingo. Interment to follow at the Tishomingo Cemetery. Family hour will be from 5:00 -7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 at DeArman-Clark Funeral Home.

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Joyce Mae Parish

January 23, 1934 - November 3, 2025