John Albert Parsons, 72, of Marion, AL passed away suddenly after a brief illness on Monday, November 9, 2009. Visitation will be Wednesday, November 11 at Heiberger United Methodist Church from 6 to 8 pm. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, November 12 at 1 pm at the church with burial to follow at Moore’s Cemetery in McCalla around 3 pm with Rev. Travis Barnes officiating.
John was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Willie Martin Parsons and his wife Jo Ann Parsons.
He is survived by his wife Gay Nell Parsons; daughters Debbie (Ray) Prestridge and Kristi (Rodney) Miller; sons, Lane Parsons. Jeff (Jaysa) Stewart and James Stewart; grandchildren, Rachel and Amanda Prestridge, Ashley, Wesley and Amy Parsons, Victoria Langford, Mitch Milner, Charlie Stewart, Carlton Jones, Leah, Cade and Chad Milner; sister, Mary Ellen Conaway and numerous family and friends.
He was an Auburn graduate with a degree in agriculture. He owned and operated Valley View Farms for over 30 years. He was named Outstanding Young Farmer in 1972, just two years after moving to Perry County. He was an avid gardener and loved to share his fruits and vegetables with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling and exploring North America with his wife and many camping buddies. He was a member of Heiberger United Methodist Church where he was a member of the choir. Later in life he learned to play golf and enjoyed time with his friends on the golf course.
Pallbearers are Wesley Parsons, Mitch Milner, Tommy Conaway, Charlie Conaway, Maxie Hall, Frank Burns, Jerry Stamps, Tommy Walton, and Paul Smith.
Honorary Pallbearers are Bud Hinton, Dennis Wesson, James Ryan, Pat Barton, Tommy Bamberg, Gerald Nichols, Jackie Nichols, Franco Crocker, Steve Crawford, all other members of Heiberger United Methodist Church, Richard Boozer, Johnny Beech, Ralph Rogers, Lowell Bell, John Keene, Roy Barnette, William Epperson, and Charles Johnson.
The family requests memorials be made to Heiberger United Methodist Church, Marion, AL. Bessemer Brown Service is honored to serve the Parsons Family.