Minnie Parsons

Minnie Bell "Sue" Parsons, 93, died Friday, December 17,2010, in Arkadelphia. She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Ava Jane Pitchford, her three brothers, and her husband of 52 years, Alec Parsons.

Minnie Bell Pitchford was born on October 19, 1917, on a plantation located between Jefferson, Texas, and the Louisiana border. She was a woman of strong faith who was always very self reliant and capable. As a homemaker, she enjoyed her 50-year membership in the Home Extension Club. She had a wonderful way with plants, especially with irises and day lilies which she tended until she was no longer able. She married Alec Parsons in 1942. They traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada; indeed, for the last several years of their travels, they were "Winter Texans," spending winter months in their travel trailer while fishing near Port Isabel, Texas.

Throughout her final months of sickness, Minnie Bell never lost her sense of humor, and managed to comfort her family by letting them know that she had led a wonderful life and was ready to see her God and those who had gone before her.

She will be sorely missed by her daughter, Dr. Donna Jane (Charles) Dunn of Arkadelphia; four grandchildren: Dr. Aimee (Robert) Shouse of Macomb, Illinois, James D. (Haruno) Dunn of Japan, Joseph C. (Rachel) Dunn of Bryant, and Mary E. Dunn of Little Rock; four great grandchildren: Emma and Meghan Shouse of Macomb, Illinois, and Ethan and Isabelle Dunn of Bryant; her sister, Dora (Jim) Wilson of Texarkana; and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom she dearly loved.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, December 20,2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the Ruggles-Wilcox Funeral Home Chapel in Arkadelphia. Family visitation will be conducted from 6:00-7:30 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home. She will be buried at the Crystal Hill Cemetery near Wickes, Arkansas, at 2:30 pm.