JAMES WOODROW "WOODY" PARSON, Age 72, a resident of East Prairie, died Sunday, June 5, 2011, from injuries sustained in an accident on I-55 in Perry County, MO.

He was born November 15, 1938, at Sikeston, MO to the late James E. and Ella Mae Jones Parson. After the death of his mother at a young age, he was raised by his maternal grandmother, Mary Catherine Jones Sumner. Soon after marriage he moved to St. Louis where he went to work for Brown Shoe Company and in October, 1961, he embarked on a 30 year career with the General Motors Corporation retiring in 1991. He was a member of the U.A.W. and the Church of Christ and was an avid Cardinal baseball fan. His grandchildren were the love of his life. In 1995, he moved to East Prairie to be near family.

On April 11, 1958, he married Joan Ann Scott, who died also on June 5, 2011 from injuries also sustained in the accident.

Surviving are: two sons, James Parson, Jr. of Washington, MO and Scott Parson of Farmington, MO; one daughter, Elizabeth Bennett of St. Louis, MO; 10 grandchildren, Amanda Parson, Rachel Parson Windle, Kayla Parson, Jayme Parson Martinez, Mary Beth Bennett, Andrew Bennett, Kali Parson, Samantha Parson, Ryan Parson and Reid Parson. One great grandson, Treston Drennen; uncle and aunts, including William B. "Jack" and Daisy Jones and Jim and Doris Sumner; and aunt, Christine Frye, cousin John "Sonny" Sipp, and many others.

Joint visitation for he and his wife will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 10, 2011 at the McMikle Funeral Home in Charleston where joint funeral services will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 11, 2011. Bill Bradley of Charleston will officiate.

Interment will follow the Dogwood Cemetery near East Prairie under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be: Jerry Maxwell, Clay Eaves, Craig Scott, Clinton Wolford, Johnny Jones, and Richard Sutton.