Kathy Rea (Freshour) Parrish

Kathy Rea (Freshour) Parrish of Booneville, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior, Tuesday, January 23, 2018 in Booneville surrounded by her loving family. Kathy was born December 24, 1949 to Donald Max Freshour and Wilma Katherine (Robinson) Freshour. She was 68 years old.

It has been said that Kathy was the picture of hard work. She worked many long, hard hours providing for her family. For many years, she worked at Borum's Food Liner in Booneville. During this time she came to know pretty much everyone in the small town and they all called her friend. She was a friendly face and a kind word and people would wait in line to go through her check out stand just because they liked her. Later on in time, Kathy worked at Cargill, known to most as DPM, for many years. She saw many people come and go, but forgotten by none. Kathy was also the picture of unconditional love. Her kids and grandkids were her life. She was devoted and faithful and taught her children the value of helping others in their time of need. She taught them about the rewards of hard work, that anything worth having is worth working for, and that the pride one feels in a job well done is worth the effort it takes to do it. Kathy was a giver. She knew what it meant to sacrifice. She raised her own children, a house full of nieces and nephews, as well as the many friends that her children would drag in. Anyone was welcomed in Kathy's house with the understanding that they would, "follow the rules" and "Get it yourself. I'm not your maid". She never turned anyone away who needed a meal or a place to bunk, whether for a day, a week, or sometimes even years. It wasn't always easy but somehow she always made it work. Kathy was a private person, quite stubborn and liked to argue, but full of love. She did things her way and in her time without asking help from anyone. She was a humble woman who preferred a simple lifestyle, one that was surrounded by the people she loved most.

Kathy leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children: Melissa Callahan and husband Sam of Waldron, Arkansas, Sheila Parrish of Booneville, Arkansas, Jeff Parrish and wife Misty of Dayton, Ohio, Duncan Parrish and wife Christy of Fairfax, Oklahoma and Scotty Shigley of Booneville, Arkansas. Granny will forever remain in the hearts of her grandchildren: Chris Callahan and wife Brittney, Sarai Davis, Victoria Breisch, Alexis Parrish Combs, Stephany Hay, Shannon Miner, Kaci Parrish, Brady Parrish, Mackinzie Callahan, Kellen Parrish, JJ Parrish, and Laney Parrish as well as 16 great-grandchildren. Kathy is also survived by her siblings: Judy Madewell, Pam Hobbs, Melinda Vaughn, Rhonda Hickman, Andrea Hearn, Tonia Christian, Jona Peters, and Dona Jean Couch, and her special fur baby and full-time companion, Tiny. Kathy will be missed a host of nieces, nephews, friends and loved ones.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Wilma Freshour, granddaughter, Suzannah Shores, great-granddaughter, Noel Hay, and siblings: Keith, Jimmy, Sherry, Tim, Debbie, Becky and Donnie.

Kathy's celebration of life will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the First Assembly of God Church in Booneville, Arkansas with Rev. Matt Baire and Rev. Ken Johnson officiating. Interment will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery in Booneville, Arkansas.

Kathy's pallbearers will be Brady Parrish, Kellen Parrish, Chris Callahan, Jr. McMaster, Dustin McLeod and Brian Leslie.

Kathy's visitation will be Friday, January 26, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Heritage Memorial Funeral Home in Waldron, Arkansas and Saturday, January 27, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. until the funeral hour at the First Assembly of God Church in Booneville, Arkansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House, 3324 South “M”, Fort Smith, AR 72903 or Peachtree Hospice, 2910 Jenny Lind Road, Building 4, Fort Smith, AR 72901.