Mary Chester Parkinson passed from this life to her eternal home on Friday, November 5, 2021. She worked as a clerk at Sears until her retirement in 1997. Prior to working at Sears, she operated a day care from her home for many years. But the work that brought her the most joy was as a homemaker, wife and mother to her two sons. She loved growing flower gardens, birdwatching and redesigning kitchens.
Mary was a devout Christian and member of the Center Hill Church of Christ, as well as a former member of several churches in Northeast Arkansas and Middle Tennessee, where she often taught ladies and children's bible classes.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents Florence and Ray Chester, brother and sister-in-law Johnny and Ruby Nell Chester, brother Charles Chester, brothers-in-law Charles Balcom, George Malone and Roosevelt Spencer and sister-in-law Julie Chester.
She is survived by her husband Weldon Parkinson, sons Jeff Parkinson and Phillip Parkinson, daughters-in-law Stefanie Parkinson and Joanna Parkinson, grandchildren Lauren, Hunter, Emma, Samantha, Elijah and Adalyn Parkinson, brother Jim Chester and sisters Ruth Balcom, Joann Malone and Kathleen Spencer, sister-in-law Jo Chester, God-children Chelsea and Katelyn Spencer and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 pm until service time Friday, November 12, at Phillips Funeral Home. A celebration of Mary's life will begin Friday, November 12, 2021 at Phillips Funeral Home in Paragould, AR at 2:00 pm.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making a contribution the Mary and Weldon Parkinson Scholarship Fund at Crowley's Ridge Academy, or make a donation to your favorite charity in her honor.