Obituaries for Thurs., June 27, 2013

Published 12:00 am Thursday, June 27, 2013

JERRY LOWMAN PARRISH

Jerry Lowman Parrish passed away from a long battle with cancer on Fri., June 21, 2013, at Crestview Nursing Home in Crestview, Fla., with family by his side.

He was born on March 18, 1950, in Opp, to Mary Louise Kidd Parrish and JD Parrish.

After completion of high school, he spent the next four years in the United States Air Force as a medical specialist during the Vietnam War, where he earned numerous honors and medals. Upon discharge from the Air Force, he continued his military career with the United States Army Reserve while living in Bath, N.C.

He was an avid marathon runner, usually winning gold or bronze, and when he wasn’t competing in a marathon, one could find him on a Motocross Bike Trail where he also earned numerous trophies. He was also a member of MENSA.

In 2006, he returned home to be with family and friends and resided in Wing.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Louise Kidd Parrish; father, JD Parrish; brother and sister-in-law, Terry C. and Ossie-Ree Jackson Parrish; brother-in-law, Jim Odom; and niece, Wendy Threatt.

He is survived by his sisters, Betty Sue (Jimmy) Threatt, Faye (Buddy) Harrelson and Ann Odom; brothers, Larry Parrish and Perry Parrish; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private ceremony with family will be held. Keahey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JAMES DALE ODOM

James Dale Odom, 72, went to his heavenly home on Monday, June 24, 2013.

The son of Arey “Doc” and Emmalyn “Pank” Odom, he was the grandson of P. B. Floyd, and a preacher and teacher for many years in Covington County.

In his lifetime, he had been a coach, teacher, high school principal, coordinator of special services and superintendent of education for Covington County Schools. He worked in all three areas for 34 years and had outstanding careers in them all. He was a winning basketball coach and took two teams to the Alabama State Tournament. He loved being in the classroom and touched the lives of many young people through the years. He was named outstanding coach of the year and outstanding coordinator of the year, and earned many awards at every level.

After his retirement, he loved working in the garden and enjoyed being a grandfather who loved being active in the lives of his four grandchildren of whom he was very proud.

He was a deacon at the First Baptist Church, Florala, while he resided there and later has served as deacon and elder at Zion Hill Baptist Church where he grew up and where he was saved at an early age. He was always a Sunday school teacher and often spoke from the pulpit as long as his health allowed. He gave God credit for allowing him to live a much longer life here on this earth than normally would have been possible.

He was married to Terry Tucker Odom, and their 52nd anniversary was to be in August.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Julie (Greg) Windham and Wendy (Robert) Bishop. He was blessed with four grandchildren, Garrett (Samantha Kodadek) Windham, Griffin Windham, Katie Zessin and Jackson Bishop. He also leaves behind one sister, Edna Earle (Emmett) Kirkland, as well as nieces, Karen, Debra, Lyn, and Jennifer. There are also many grand-nephews and grand-nieces, as well as cousins.

The “going home” celebration was held June 26 in the auxiliary building of Zion Hill Baptist Church with burial following in the church cemetery.

Those who were unable to attend the services may sign the guest registry online at foremanfuneralhome.com.

COACH LOUIS EDWARD ‘TICK’ BERRY SR.

Coach Louis Edward ‘Tick’ Berry Sr., 79, died Tues., June 21, 2013, at his home in Montgomery.

Funeral services will be held on Sat., June 29, at 11 a.m., at the Andalusia Middle School gymnasium, with the Rev. A. Smith officiating and interment following in Marshall Cemetery.

He was born on Dec. 12, 1933, to the late Rev. John H. and Jessie Mae Tillis-Berry. He was the second oldest of six children. Four of them preceded in death: Mary Nell, Mary Helen, Joe Ray and Johnnie “Santo” Howard. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Jacqueline Caroline Berry-Moore.

Coach Berry confessed his faith at an early age and united with the St. Peter Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. T.H. Hill. After graduating from Covington County Training School in 1952, he enrolled in Alabama A&M College in Normal and completed a double major in education and shoe repairing. He served in the United States Reserve for many years.

He started his teaching career substituting at Ralph Bunche High School in Andalusia. His first full-time teaching and coaching job was at Carver Junior High School in Florala where he started with an 88-26 mark in girls and boys basketball. He then relocated to Andalusia and started coaching at Carter G. Woodson High School with a 37-12 girls and boys basketball record. Coach Berry spent 24 years at Andalusia Middle School, compiling an overall record of 156-34. He also won numerous Covington County and local invitational tournament titles.

He helped build the foundation for the successful Andalusia High School program, which sent an impressive list of players to college and beyond, including eventual NBA star Robert Horry.

In 2011, Coach Berry was inducted into the Wiregrass Sports Hall of Fame in Dothan. In 2012, he was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame in Montgomery.

After retiring from coaching, he moved to Montgomery. After years of living there, he had made plans to relocate to Andalusia, when on June 21, at approximately 12:45 a.m., he answered the call of God and entered his heavenly home.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories, a devoted son, Louis Edward (Sonya) Berry II of Huntsville; an adopted daughter, Ashley Walker-Berry of Montgomery; one sister, Ann (Melvin) Berry-Walker of Cleveland, Ohio; three grandchildren, Megan Powell and Haley Berry of Huntsville and Jacara Moore of Cottonwood; one son-in-law, Jerry Moore, also of Cottowood; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and devoted friends.